
Glass 1 A /-\ rL^'^ x.j 

Book .1?^^ 



THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS 
OF NORTH CflROLlNfl 



The Church and Private Schools 
of \orth Carolina 



R HISTORICAL STUDY 



/ 

BY CHARLES LEE RARER 



Published through the kindness of President 
Dred Peacock. All books referred to are in the 
library of Greensboro Female College. 






10170 




CONTKNTS 



Adams, James 22 

Archibald, Robert 59 

Arndt, Gottf i*ied (31-02 

Asheville Female College 200-202 

The Baptist Female University 247 

Beuthahn 63 

Bingham School 7(J-S4 

Caldwell Institute 104-100 

Caldwell's Log College 37-44 

Carolina Female College 118-119 

Caswell Academy . . 75 

Catawba College 226-228 

Charlotte Female Institute 124-125 

The Chowan Baptist Female Institute 219-220 

Claremont College 240 

Clio's Nursery and Science Hall 52-56 

Cokesbury School and Early Methodism 63-67 

Crowfield 35-37 

Church of England, First Schools 21-24 

Davenport College 231-234 

Davidson College 147 166 

Earl, Daniel 24 

Edenton Academy 29 31 

Edgeworth Female Seminary 108-1 14 

The Eighteenth Century Schools 9-71 

Elizabeth College 246-245 

Elon College 242-245 

The Episcopal Theological School 102-103 

The Fayetteville Female Seminary 120 121 

Floral College 118 

German Schools HO-63 

General View, 18th Century 9-21 

Greensboro Female College 202-219 

Greensboro High School 106-108 

Griffin, Charles 21-23 

Guilford College 166-174 

Hico Academy • 75 

Horner School 224-226 

Horner and Graves : 128-129 



Snnu> Incoi'porated Schools HT-Tl 

In lies Academy 23-24 

Introduction 3-8 

Judson College 127-128 

Kerr, David 59-«0 

Lenoir (Jollege 245-246 

Littleton Female Colleg-e 240-241 

Louisiburg Female ( 'ollege 234-235 

Lutheran Schools 60-63 

Mashburn 23 

Moir, James 23 

Mount Amoena Female Seminary 237 

Newbern Academy 24-29 

North Carolina College 230-231 

Oak Ridge Institute 222-224 

Oxford Female Seminary 220-222 

Henry Patillo's Schools 50-52 

Peace Institute 238-240 

The Early Pi*esbyterian Schools 31-35 

Queen's Museum 44-50 

Robinson, John 73-74 

Rutherford College 235-230 

Salem Female Academy 84-102 

St. Mary's College 241-242 

St. Mary's School 198-200 

Statesville Female College 235 

Thomasville Female College 125-127 

Trinity College 174-198 

Wake Forest College 132-147 

Wall is, James 72-73 

Warrenton Female College 114-116 

Warrenton Female Collegiate Institute 116-117 

Wayne Female College 121 

Weaverville College 228-230 

Wesleyan Female College 119-120 

Wilson Collegiate Institute 130 

Wilson, .lohn McKamie 74-75 

Yadkin College 121 

Zion Parnassus 56-58 



INTRODUCTION 



To the student of history North Carolina presents 
many phases and contrasts. It is a queer State, and one 
often hard to understand. Many classes and distinc- 
tions have marked her life. There has been much of 
politics — often too much. There has been some real indus- 
try , though it has sometimes been misguided. There has 
been intellectual and social culture , but ihis has been very 
limited. Indeed it is a State of a number of separate 
forces, all having something in common, but held to- 
gether by no very strong ties. The opposition to royal 
rule and creed early in our existence divorced Church 
and State ; and they have thus remained throughout our 
history. The country was settled by many different 
peoples and under various conditions ; religious, econo- 
mic , social and other causes gradually filled up the fer- 
tile spots. The English, with a deep love for country 
aristocracy, with clear distinctions of social classes, with 
ideas of religion and civil rule of their own, settled and 
made their mark upon the north-eastern part ; the Qua- 
kers, of simple and economic, free and peaceful dispo- 
sitions, opposed to social distinctions, the north-eastern 
and middle ; the Scotch-Irish , of restless and indepen- 
dent natures, made daring and intensely patriotic by the 
conflicts in their own countries, the south-eastern, along 



4 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

the Cape Fear, and the section of which Charlotte is 
now the center; the Moravians, peace-loving and ener- 
getic, that which is Forsyth county; the Lutherans and 
Germans, thrifty and prosperous farmers, opposed to 
city life and crowded conditions, on both sides of the 
Catawba and between this and the Yadkin ; the French 
Huguenots as far north as Hillsboro and south as the 
Pedee river ; the Swiss and Palatines at the junction of 
the Neuse and Trent. All these made their distinct 
markings upon each section and have shown their life 
in their various institutions, especially their churches 
and schools. 

The State has never been united on any one great 
question — on any one idea. Planted as separate ele- 
ments and under various conditions and faiths, the 
State is but an aggregation of many distinct forces, all 
in the main having the same end in view, but endeav- 
oring to attain this in different ways and by different 
methods. This has been and is especially true in mat- 
ters pertaining to education. Though the State Univer- 
sity has existed more than one hundred years and done 
her part well, yet the majority of men, and all the 
women until 1892, have received their education from 
church and private enterprises ; and these have failed to 
reach hundreds and thousands. For the last forty years 
or so a public school system has been experimented with ; 
and for the past fifteen or twenty years a good many 
towns have levied a special tax and had graded schools 
for nine mouths in the year. Still many, very many, ofx 
the white population cannot read and write. There are 
now almost as many illiterate whites in this State as in 
all the other of the original thirteen put together. It is 
within very recent times that changes in public thought 
and sentiment on this line have taken place ; and a good 
deal of this is due to the worth v efforts of Dr. Charles D, 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 5 

Mclver, President of the State Normal and Industrial 
College, and Dr. E. A. Alderman, President of the Uni- 
versity of North Carolina. While there is an Agricul- 
tural and Mechanical College for the whites at Raleigh, 
an Agricultural and Mechanical College for the negroes 
and a Normal and Industrial College for white girls at 
Greensboro, and several schools of a similar nature for 
negroes at other points, none of them are old enough to 
belong properly to history. One State, many church 
and private schools, and a very poor public system, have 
fought the battle with ignorance ; and fought it nobly, 
but still there is a great deal to do. 

The writer does not want to be misunderstood on this 
point ; and does not say these words from a lack of 
patriotism and true appreciation of his State's history. 
He has studied very carefully into the real life of its peo- 
ple. He has seen many phases commendable and great ; 
others far below what they might be. There are latent 
forces in great abundance, but there has been a decided 
failure to cultivate them. There is strength of charac- 
ter and intellect as vigorous by nature as any state can 
supx)ly, but it has rarely been moved to its best. The 
many and great deeds of valor during the Civil War 
have demonstrated to the world that many of our people 
have the stuff of which heroes are made. We are quiet 
and conservative, yet strong and true ; and we have done 
far more in our life than most people give us credit for. 
Still we have not done by any means up to the extent of 
our abilities and opportunities ; and in the way of deep 
interest and enthusiasm in education we have perhaps 
done least. 

As a rule the history of the State has never been writ- 
ten, at any rate with much fullness and accuracy. For 
the most part the standard histories are only political 
treatise, and ignore the social, religious and intellectual 



THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

development. With one or two exceptions it is to the 
church histories, and in many cases these are very 
meager, that one must go for mforrnation on the early 
schools : Foote's Sketches and Caruther's Life of Cald- 
well for the Presbyterian ; ReicheFs Histor}^ for the 
Moravian ; Bernheim for the Lutheran and German Re- 
formed ; Cheshire for the Episcopal ; Weeks for the 
Quakers. On the educational history anything like a 
full and comprehensive work has never appeared. The 
only works of any kind on this line are those of Dr. Kemp 
P. Battle, who has wa-itten a short sketch of the Univer- 
sity and is now engaged in writing a full history of the 
same, and Dr. Charles L. Smith, who, in 1888, published 
through the Bureau of Education, of Washington, the 
History of Education of North Carolina. Both of these 
are excellent works as far as they go ; the first does not 
touch the church and private schools at all and the lat- 
ter very meagerly. So that the forces which have had 
more to do in the growth and shape of our institutions of 
society than all others have yet to be searched out and 
written. 

That there is a need for investigation on this line is 
very apparent. The whole field is full of interest and 
demands attention. Mucli of the histor}^ of the State is 
passing away ; and soon its recovery will be impossible. 
Some of the present conflicts are due for the most part 
to a lack of knowledge and appreciation of our educa- 
tional history. Much difficulty, however, is met with in 
obtaining sufficient material ; in some cases a large part 
of the history is lost and its recovery is doubtful. The 
writer has been collecting material from every obtainable 
source ; and in the case of many of the schools his collec- 
tion is fairly complete. He has written hundreds of letters 
to parties directly or indirectly concerned; and shall use in 
this sketch many of their replies, after they have been com- 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 7 

pared and condensed. He 1ms at his disposal about twelve 
hundred different titles on North Carolina, besides a 
large collection of catalogues, reports and clippings ; also 
has the originals or copies of many of the historical 
sketches of the schools. Due acknowledgement will be 
given in tlie proper place to all the authorities used and 
to those who have given assistance. The writer would 
be ungrateful indeed if he did not mention in this con- 
nection the kind appreciation and aid of Dr. Dred Pea- 
cock, President of the Greensboro Female College, whose 
collection on North Carolina histor}^ for the College Li- 
brary is about the largest and most complete in existence. 
In the investigation facts alone have been searched for ; 
and in the writing the plain truth will be the aim. Some 
statements will perhaps displease, but no ill-wnll is em- 
bodied in them. Some mistakes will doubtless be made, 
but they will be due to wrong information given. Some 
rash conclusions may be drawn ; the writer's inexperi- 
ence is his apology. 

Before bringing this introduction to a close a few more 
points are especially worthy of notice. During the 
early development the Church and School went hand in 
hand. Wherever there was established a church in most 
cases a school was annexed. This is notably true with 
the Presbyterians, and to a large extent with the Lu- 
therans, Germans and Churchmen. As a I'ule the one 
who iDreached for the congregation was also tlieir teacher, 
and there are a good many instances where the preacher 
was wanting and the teacher became the "lay-reader" 
for the churches in his section. The two have all the 
time been of mutual relation and assistance to each 
other ; the growth of one has been the growth of the 
other. Their combined influence has been deeply felt 
in every phase of life. Really, one does not at all un- 
derstand and appreciate North Carolina history until he 



8 THE CHURCH .\ND PRIVATE 

has gone to tlie depths of tlie cliuivh- and private insti- 
tutions of learning. Often peculiar and characteristic 
ideas in politics and society are found; and in many 
cases these are due to some teacher or school. Thomas 
Cooper and Francis Lieber, in South Carolina College, 
shaped the public thought of the whole State and much 
of the South for a quarter of a century prior to the Civil 
War. Tliomas Jefferson and the Universiy of Virginia 
have made a deep mark upon the intellectual, political 
and religious life of the whole South. In North Caro- 
lina the University and other leading schools have 
played equall}^ as conspicuous a part. Tn the early 
period Dr. David Caldwell was tlie controlling foi-ce in the 
middle section for well nigh sixty years ; and he gained 
entrance into the minds of men throu2;h his "log-college" 
as well as l)y means of his pulpit. Dr. Braxton Craven, 
who was the guiding star of Trinity College for about 
forty years, stamped his great force upon many a one 
now prominent in religious, literary and political life. 
The same is true of Dr. Nereus Mendenhall, who 
moulded and shaped to a large extent the institution now 
known as Guilford College ; and equally true of some 
leader in every school in the State. Much of the best of 
our life has been and is in them ; much of the history of 
the State has been made by them. But in reviewing the 
subject there is much of sadness as well as hope and 
promise. There has been lack of appreciation and sym- 
pathy on almost every hand. Many heroic characters 
have toiled and spent their lives for the minds of th«ir 
fellow-men, still have died in want. Strong minds have 
dwelt among us and great opportunities for intellectual 
culture have been opened, but few have said "yes." 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



Chapter I. — The 18th Century Schools. 



GENERAL VIEW. 

Some general statements were made in the introductory 
chapter about these earlier schools. It is the intention 
to give here the fullest possible account: their origin, 
growth, relation to church, society and civil government. 
In the investigation the fact comes out that the State 
took very little interest and part in these schools. It did 
practically nothing till the University was projected ; 
and this was at the close of the century, it being char- 
tered December the 11th, 1789, and opened in February, 
1795. At this time there was not a single public school ; 
nor did any public system come about for a long time 
thereafter. In most cases the schools were taught by 
the preacher of the congregation. The professional 
teacher was a rarity indeed ; and where one is found he 
was under the church's auspices, and in many ways 
assisted his section in matters religious. In the whole 
history of the State the Church and School have gone 
hand in hand, and each has always been of assistance to 
the other. These schools were by no means numerous ; 
and ignorance was the common thing among most of the 
settlers and their children. During the proprietary 
government (1663-1729) there are on record but two or 
three little schools, which will be considered later; and 
from this till the beginning of the nineteenth century 
the school history is very meager. 

Many different interpretations of these facts and con- 
ditions have been made. Some have said that the State 
was first peopled by political and religious refugees, by 
cut-throats, irreligious and worthless characters. Others 
have been more favorable in their explanations. To say 



10 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

the least, the character of the early settlers has been and 
is yet a doubtful question. Williamson, in speaking of 
the Province up to about the year 1775, says that edu- 
cation was entirely neglected by the settlers as a whole, 
but that many of the inhabitants were well educated and 
that some sent their children to the schools in England.^ 
Martin, whose history very meagerly covers the period 
from the settlement to almost the beginning of the War 
of the Revolution, says that there were only two schools 
in the whole Province — Edenton and Newbern — and that 
religion was at a low ebb indeed; that very few minis- 
ters of any denomination could be found. ^ The same 
author, in speaking of the population of about 1703, 
gives a still more unfavorable view. He makes them as 
almost total strangers to any religious principles or pub- 
lic worship ; declares them to be loose, licentious char- 
acters, and persons who regard the fundamental princi- 
ples of religion with ridicule. He says that they were 
of various nations and sects ; " Scotch Presbyterians, 
Dutch Lucherans, French Calvinists, Irish Catholics, 
English Churchmen, Quakers, and Dissenters; Emi- 
grants from Bermuda and the West Indies, which from 
their late settlements, could not be places remarkable 
for the education of young people in Christianity and 
morality."^ Bancroft says (^and Dr. Chas. L. Smith also 
quotes this on page 130 in his "History of Education in 
North Carolina") : " Here was a colony of men from 
civilized life, scattered among forests, hermits with 
wives and children, resting in the bosom of nature 
in perfect harmon}'- with the wilderness of their %entle 
clime. With absolute freedom of conscience, benevolent 
reason was the simple rule of their conduct."^ The same 

1. Williamson's History of North Carolina, Vol. II., p. 82. 

•2. Martin's History of North Carolina, Vol. II., p. 395. 

3. Ibid, Vol.1, p. 218. 

4, Bancroft's United States, \o\. II., p. VA. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. H 

historian makes the statement in another place that the 
first settlers took affairs very easy and had little indus- 
try — that they were hunters and tillers of the soil at 
their leisure ; untroul)led by external wars ; unpolished, 
but of the highest personal freedom. ^ Many of the 
wealthy planters had tutors for their children. Others 
sent them away to colleges : those along the Cape Fear 
to Harvard; those on the northeast to England. ^ 
Hawks, who is the most accurate and exhaustive, but 
whose works cover only from the settlement to the end 
of the proprietary government (1729) , says that among 
the higher classes there was much learning and that the 
officers of State had fine education and culture ; and 
cites as illustrations Gale, Little, Moseley, Swan and 
Lawson.^ In another place he says that there were 
many bad men, and a few good ones, (especially among 
the Quakers)."* The same eminent author gives copies 
of several original manuscripts bearing on the subject of 
religion and culture among the English settlers. He 
gives a letter from Rev. James Adams to the Secretary 
of the Society for Propagating the Gospel, dated 18th of 
SejDtember, 1708. This letter is about to this effect : 
that there were in general three kinds of people in the 
province : many members of the Church of England who 
had truth and religion ; some Quakers ; most of the pop- 
ulation made up of the ignorant and of those who neither 
knew nor professed religion at all; that the Quakers, 
though they were few in number (about the seventh 
part) , still had great influence in government by the 
assistance of Governor Archdale, and that they with the 
Presbyterians who sided with them would soon become 
strong enough to bear down and break up the Church of 



1. Bancroft's History of United States, (1879), Vol. II., p. 20-J 

2. Wheeler's Reminiscences, p. 2.57. 

3. Hawks' History of North Carolina, Vol. II.. p.'369. 
i. Ibid, Vol. II., p. 338. 



12 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

England.^ Wheeler gives the Province a good deal of 
intelligence and brings up as examples, in addition to the 
above named, Hyde, Porter, Lillingtou, Harvey, San- 
derson, Pollock, Lowe and others. ^ 

After looking very carefully and extensively into the 
subject, the writer thinks that the early settlers did in 
part their duty as to education. It must be confessed 
that they were negligent, as they are to-day, and that 
they did not come up to the fullest development that was 
within their reach. Many points are worthy of consid- 
eration in this connection ; and from this consideration 
comes a more favorable view. For a long time the 
Province was settled only very sparsely — in the fertile 
spots along the rivers ;^ and these settlements were as a 
rule far apart. ^ There were few means of communica- 
tion ; and these were poor and tedious. Anything like 
a common intercourse was for quite a while almost im- 
possible. Life was for a long time individual and sepa- 
rate. There was nothing to stimulate general intel- 
ligence and culture. Wild and rugged nature had to be 
subdued ; food for the body was of far greater impor- 
tance than that of the mind. The soil, the climate, and 
sometimes the hostility of the Indians, were all against 
education.^ Though the first settlers often had fine 
training and culture, they were compelled to spend their 
lives in more active and heroic measures than in literature 
and teaching. The entire population in 1728, when the 
Province went back to the Crown, was not more than 
ten thousand;^ and by 1752 it had increased only to 
about fifty thousand.'' Town-building never has taken 
much hold on this State. There was not a single one 



1. Hawks' History of North Carolina, Vol. II., pp. 25)9-800. 

•2. Wheeler's Reminiscences, p. 259. 

3. Colonial Records, Vol. IV., p. 605. 

4. Wheeler's Reminiscences, pp. 258-259. 

5. Colonial Records, Vol. II., Rrefatory Notes. 

(■). Weeks' Lihraries and Literature,p.l78 ; Martin says that there were about 1.3,000. 

7. Weeks' Libraries and Literature, p. 17a; Martin, Vol. II., p. 59, gives only 45,000. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 13 

until 1704. Bath was built 1704, Newbern 1710, Eden- 
ton 1714, Beaufort 1723, Brunswick 1725, Wilmington 
1734, Hillsboro 1759, Fayetteville (at first called Camp- 
belltown, afterwards Cross Creek) 1762, Charlotte and 
Salisbury about 1758. ^ None of these had as many as 
one thousand inhabitants in 1750. There were scarcely 
any good sea-ports ; and in consequence commerce was 
almost unknown. Manufacturing was not known at all ; 
and even corn and wheat mills were very scarce. ^ 

However, about the middle of the eighteenth century 
things began to take on a new phase. While in 1752 the 
population was hardly fifty thousand, yet in 1790 there 
were more than three hundred and ninety-three thou- 
sand. From about 1750 to 1770 there was a great flow 
in this direction ; also a general awakening on educa- 
tional matters. The Scotch-Irish Presbyterians came in 
great numbers ; and with them came deeper and more 
practical ideas of religion and culture. Before or as early 
as 1740 they had begun their settlements along the Eno, 
Haw and Catawba rivers.-'' In 1736 sixty-four thousand 
acres of land were secured in Duplin county by Henry 
McCulloch for settlers from Ulster, Ireland. These were 
descendants of the Scottish folks whom James I. had in- 
fluenced to move to Ireland. Ulster saw Scotch and Irish 
blood mixed together ; and after awhile sent this new life 
forth in search of new lands and homes. A good number 
came to this State. They have had much to do in the 
political and industrial, social and intellectual growth. 
From 1730 to 1740 also came the Scottish Highlanders. 
They settled the lower Cape Fear. These increased 
many fold after the fatal battle of CuUoden Moor in 
1746. The counties of Bladen, Cumberland, Robeson, 



1. These dates are taken from the standard histories. 

2. Colonial Records, Vol. II., Prefatory Notes. 

3. Moore's History of North Carolina, Vol. I., p. M, 



14 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Moore, Richmond, Harnett, and some parts of Chatham 
and Anson, were peopled by tliese. About 1750 great 
numbers of the Scotch-Irish from Ulster came to Charles- 
ton, South Carolina, and Lancaster county, Pennsylva- 
nia. Those in the South soon moved toward the North ; 
while those who at first settled in Pennsylvania came 
down the Blue Ridge to North Carolina. Here they met 
and settled permanently.^ The present counties of 
Union, Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cabarrus, Lincoln, Rowan, 
Catawba, Iredell, and Guilford, all bear many of the 
marks of their life. More churclies were built up, and 
these assumed more energy. Schools became their right 
arm; patriotism was stirred, quickened and promul- 
gated. The Battle of the Regulators, May 16th, 1771, and 
the Meklenburg Declaration of Independence of May 
20th, 1775, are some of the manifestations of the life of 
these peoples.^ The Moravians came about the same 
time ; and their influence upon a large part of Forsyth 
and Davidson counties has been very strong. Peace, in- 
dustry, simplicity, virtue and prosperity have been their 
works ; churches and schools have been vital points in 
their life.^ In 1751 they purchased about one hundred 
thousand (98,985) acres of land between the Dan and 
Yadkin, and named it Wacovia after an estate of Count 
Zinzendorff in Austria. Upon this tract they built six 
towns: Bethabara (Old Town), Bethany, Salem, 
Friedberg, Frieclland and Hope. As a rule when the 
town lot was laid off, in the middle was reserved a place 
for a church.'* These people had first settled in Georgia 
as early as 1735 ; and they settled there upon the condi- 
tion that they would not have to take up arms and fight. 

1. Rev. Jethro Rumple,D.D.,inHome Magazine, Mar. 1S81 ; also points taken from 
his History of Rowan county. 

2. Foote's Sketches and Caruther's Life of Caldwell bring out tliese points in 
different places. 

3. Martin's History of Nortli Carolina, Vo'. I., Appendix, p. xxiv. 

4. Ibid, Vol. I., Appendix, pp. xxxiii-xxxvii. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 15 

This promise to them having been broken, thay moved 
to Pennsylvania about 1739 or 1740 and settled Bethle- 
hem and Nazareth. From there they came to North Caro- 
lina for a freer and milder clime. ^ With them, as well 
as with the Scotch-Irish who came from Pennsylvania, 
came new ideas of religion, society, schools and state 
government. Many Germans besides the Moravians 
came about the same time. They began coming in 1750 
and kept it up till about 1775. These Germans, from 
whom came the Lutheran and German Reformed 
Churches, first settled in Pennsylvania. Land was hard 
to get in that State, while Lord Cartaret's in North Caro- 
lina was very cheap. Church freedom was also limited 
there, while here there was perfect liberty of worship.^ 
So that much of the middle part of this State was filled 
up by these " Pennsylvania Dutch," a very industrious, 
economic, thrifty folk.^ They scattered for the most 
part along either side of the Catawba and Yadkin rivers. 
Alamance, Guilford, Davidson, Rowan, Cabarrus, 
Stanley, L-edell, Catawba and Lincoln counties owe very 
much of their condition and life to them.^ These 
people are worthy of great consideration ; they have 
formed a distinct and strong element in our life and his- 
tory. They liave been simple, honest farmers ; and have 
alM^ays been opposed to living in towns and crowded 
conditions, and especially to church interference, partic- 
ularl}'' on the part of the Church of England.^ The 
Germans who settled in the western part showed them- 
selves very different on this point to the Swiss and Ger- 
man Palatines who settled near Newbern ; these were 
soon absorbed in matters religious by those about them. 

1. Bernheim's German Settlements and Lutheran Church in the Carolinas, p. 155. 

2. Williamson's History of North Carolina, Vol. H-, P- "l- 

.S. Bernheim's German Settlements and Lutheran Church in the Carolinas, p. 
153. 

4. Ibid, p. 148. 

5. Ibid, p. 176, 



in THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

On tlio otlier liand those in the west have always kept 
their own forms of worship, i For a long time they 
spoke no other than their own language ; they read the 
German Bible and devotional books.- They have cared 
little for intellectual development until recently ; tena- 
ceous to the creed and customs of their fathers, they 
kept themselves apart from the ways of the world and 
out of politics.'^ Cleanliness, order, comfort and pros- 
perity have always been their characteristics. Their 
churches have been as a rule in the country, and for a 
long time they were poorly supplied witli preachei-s 
and teachers. While these people have not had so much 
to do with the educational interests in a positive way, 
their example has had great influence ; and it is for this 
reason that they have been spoken of somewhat at 
length. 

The Quakers need mentioning more fully. They have 
at all times in our history constituted a very distinct 
part. They are like the Germans in many ways — in 
thrift and frugality, in energy and opposition to tyranny 
and war ; also like them in their tenacity to creed. They 
have been a quiet and peace loving element ; bold and 
aggressive against the established Church — the leader in 
religious liberty during the first half of the eighteenth 
century, as the Presbyterian was the latter half.-* They 
were at first in Perquimans and Pasquotank. About 
1703 they went southwest; and by 1760 are found in 
Plyde, Beaufort, Craven, Carteret, Jones, Bladen, Lenoir, 
Northampton, Hertford, Bertie and Halifax counties.-* 
From the middle of the century to about 1783 came 
a new element from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and 



1. Bernheini, p. 179. 

2. Ibid, p. 154. 

8. Ibid, pp. 185-18G. 

4. Weeks' Southern Quakers and Slavery, p. 145, 

5. Ibid, pp. 80-88. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 17 

Nantucket's Island.^ They settled in the middle part 
of the State — Guilford, Alamance, Chatha,m, Randolph 
and Surry. Their purpose of coming was in the main 
economic. 2 They came at about the same time as the 
Scotch-Irish and Germans and for the same reasons. 
While the}^ have not been such a large portion of our 
population, however, by their systematic and earnest 
life and decided views on matters religious and educa- 
tional, they have had great influence in shaping the 
State's sentiment and growth. 

The writer has now given a general view of the first 
settlement ; and has traced the filling up of the different 
sections. In the main he has left the reader to draw his 
own conclusions about the character and condition of 
the early history as a whole. In this connection it is 
well to give some points more in favor of our early life 
than were given in the first part of this sketch. Wheeler 
says on page 30 of his Historical Sketches : "No freer 
country was ever organized by man. Freedom of con- 
science , security from taxation except by their own con- 
sent, were their first objects. The emigrant was ex- 
empted from taxation for a year ; ever}^ emigrant re- 
ceived a bounty of land. These simple laws suited a 
simple people, who were as free as the air of their 
mountains ; and when oppressed were as rough as the 
billows of the ocean. They submitted to no unjust laws, 
they bowed the knee to no earthly monarch.' ' Another 
historian says that our people were bent upon following 
their own views in civil government and religion^ ; and 
that they have been slow to change their convictions and 
have been very loyal to what they held as truth.-* There 
was some religion, but it was local and not widely 

1. Weeks' Quakers and Slavery, p. 90. 

•2. Ibid, p. 96. 

3. Moore's History of North Carolina, Vol. I., Introduction, p. xiv. 

4. Ibid, Vol. I., Introduction, p. xv. 



18 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

felt. There was some learning ; it was among the few. 
There was some of wealtli and comfort ; it was confined to 
the indolent gentleman. There were some collections of 
books, but these were private. There have been a good 
many churches and a few schools, but affairs have been 
too different and scattered to be deeply moved by them. 
Sea-coasts, lowlands, rivers, valleys, hills and moun- 
tains; Churchmen, Quakers, Presbyterians, Germans, 
Moravians, Lutherans, Baptists and Methodists (the 
latter two not being of great force until the 19th cen- 
tury) — all have had their distinct influences upon our 
history, especially for the first century and a half. We 
then came very little in contact with the outside world ; 
there was nothing to stir us up or polish us. We be- 
came negligent, indifferent and in many ways rude ; we 
had not reached the industrial stage in development — 
agriculture and hunting were our means of support. 
The Colonists were not so ignorant as they were unap- 
preciative of the benefits of literature. They had some 
books as early as 1680. In 1705 the circulating library, 
which Rev. Thomas Bray, D. D., a representative of the 
Society for Propagating the Gospel, had given the Col- 
ony in 1700, was established at Bath. It was intended 
for the clergy and w^as made up of religious books for 
the most part.^ The collection was worth about one 
hundred pounds.^ Rev. James Adams, another repre- 
sentative of the Society for Propagating the Gospel, left 
his library, valued at about ten pounds,^ in Currituck"^ 
in 1710. According to Dr. S. B, Weeks, there was one 
more library — perhaps two — in the beginning of the 
century. He thinks that Urmstone about 1708 had one 

1. Colonial Records, Vol. II, p. 119; and Weeks' Libraries and Literature, pp. 
177-179. 

2. Ibid, Vol. II, p. 130. 

3. Ibid, Vol. II, p. 7.5. 

4. Ibid. Vol. I, p. 858. 

3 and 4 are also given by Weeks in liis Libraries and Literature, pp. 185-180. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 19 

more library — perhaps- two — in the beginning of the 
century. He thinks that Urmstone about 1708 had one 
of some size and value, and that it doubtless followed 
him around in his work ; also that there was possibly 
one belonging to Rainsford in 1712. ^ In the Cape Fear 
section there were no books until after the middle of the 
century. About 1755 the St. James Parish received 
soni e B ibles, prayer-books and such like from the 
Society .2 This Society for Propagating the Gospel ended 
its existence in 1776. During its life it had had a great 
influence in teaching the young colony ; and its influ- 
ence was as much educational as religious. Dr. Weeks 
thinks that it sent to North Carolina as many as six 
hundred bound volumes and about two hundred pounds 
worth of tracts.^ 

In 1720 Edward Moseley, the greatest man in the 
Province for fifty years, ^ gave tenpounds to the Society 
for buying books, but it seems that they were never 
bought. In 1723 he gave also seventy-six volumes 
for a public library to be kept at Edenton,^ which was 
for a long time the center of culture. His own private 
collection was large for that time, amounting to about 
four hundred volumes.*' The Johnston library, which 
is now owned by Mr. John G. Wood, of "Hayes," about 
one-half a mile from Edenton, goes back to times as 
early as the Moseley collection.^ There are evidences 
of the existence of several other private libraries in the 
eastern half of the State: Col. James Innes, at Point 
Pleasant, near Wilmington, in 1759, bequeathed his 
library to a free school;^ John Hodgson, speaker of the 



1. Weeks' Libraries and Literature, pp. 1^-186. 

2. Ibid, pp. 186-187, giving as his authority. Burr, Sketch of St. James Parish, 
Wilmington, pp. 18-22. 

3. Weeks' Libraries and Literature, p. 187. 

4. Ibid, p. 193. 

5. Ibid, p. 189. 

6. Ibid. p. 196. 

7. Ibid, p. 198. 

8. Waddell's A Colonial OflQcer and His Times, pp. 53-54, 



20 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

house of commons in 1739 and 1741 ; James Iredell, 
a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 
in 1790 — a citizen of Chowan county; William Hooper, 
the signer, who lived in Wilmington ; Joseph R. 
Gautier, in Bladen, a member of the house of com- 
mons in 1791, gave his valuable collection to the 
University ;i Willie Jones, who died in 1801, a citi- 
zen of Halifax county, had a fine and large one; and 
John Burgwyn, who died about the same time at the 
"Hermitage," near Wilmington. ^ There were doubt- 
less more. Edenton, Newborn and Wilmington, in the 
eastern half of the State, were centers of culture ; and if 
the whole truth were known, many more evidences of 
early training and education in and around these places 
would come to light. Dr. Weeks, whose statements the 
writer always finds true, says: "I think it accurate to 
say that the political leaders of the Colony of North Car- 
olina at the time of the Revolution were better acquainted 
with the literature of their times than the leaders of 
political North Carolina are to-day with either contem- 
porary English or American literature."^ This was 
said in connection with the English life and culture as 
found in the eastern part. When a view is taken of the 
western, with Salisbury, Charlotte and Fayette ville as 
centers, as much may justly be said. These places were 
dominated by the Scotch-Irish and Scotch elements ; and 
give many evidences of education , culture and religion. 
They had both libraries and schools. These libraries 
were in almost every case private: Waighstill Avei^y, 
who settled in Charlotte in 1769 ; Rev. David Caldwell, 
D. D., who began his "log college" three miles north- 
west of Greensboro about 1767 ; Rev. James Hall, D. D., 



1. Battle's Address on the History of Raleigh, p. 17. 

2. Weeks' Libraries and Literature, pp. 200-208; a good many of the points on the 
libraries have been taken from him ; Wheeler has also been consulted. 

3. Weeks' Libraries and Literature, p. 200. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 21 

who was another pioneer of religion and education, located 
in Iredell; Rev. John Barr, of Rowan; Rev. Lewis 
Fenilleteau Wilson, of Iredell; Rev. Henry Patillo, of 
Orange; Gen. Joseph Graham, of Lincoln; and Rev. 
Samuel Eusebius McCorkle, D. D., at Thyatira.^ There 
were a few public or circulating libraries after the Revo- 
lution : Mecklenburg, 2 Iredell,^ Thyatira, founded by 
Rev. John Barr;'^ Centre Benevolent Society of Meck- 
lenburg and Rowan. ^ These libraries have been spoken 
of to a greater extent than a sketch of this nature and 
length will perhaps justify. The intention is to give 
that which will most clearly present the educational con- 
ditions. These libraries have been of great influence in 
making such conditions ; and the conditions have made 
and called for the schools. 

THE FIRST SCHOOLS CHURCH OP ENGLAND. 

The first report of any schools in the Province is from 
Dr. John Blair, a missionary to the Colony in 1704. 
From his reports we find that the first churches had lay- 
readers to supply them with sermons.*^ These lay- 
readers were teachers in almost every case. While the 
Scotch-Irish Presbyterians have given more teachers to 
the State than any other church — more than all the 
others together during the eighteenth century — still the 
first assistance to intellectual life w^as given by the 
Church of England.'^ The first teacher was Charles 
Griffin, who came from the West Indies to Pasquotank 
about 1705.^ His school was very prosperous for a short 



1. Weeks' Libraries and Literature, pp. 21-1-216; Caruther's Life of Caldwell, 
Foote's Sketches and Wheeler. 

2. Foote's Sketches, pp. 248-249. 

3. Ibid, p. 380. 

4. Weeks' Libraries and Literature, p. 221. 

5. Ibid, p. 221. 

6. Colonial Records, Vol. I, p. 601. 

7. Brickell's Natural History, p. 35. 

8. Cheshire's Sketches of Church History in North Carolina; Paper by Rev. R. 
B. Drane, pp. 163-104. 



22 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

while, and was patronized by all classes and churches. 
At first his character and behavoir were so fine that even 
the Quakers sent to him.^ He taught in Pasquotank 
till about 1708. In Hawks' History, Vol. II, pp. 299- 
300, is given a copy of an original manuscript letter 
from Rev. William Gordon to the Secretary of the 
Society for Propagating the Gospel, dated May 13, 1709. 
In this, after giving some account of the different pre- 
cincts of the north-eastern part, (Chowan, Perquimans, 
Pasquotank, Currituck and Bath), Mr. Gordon says: 
"The next precinct is Pasquotank, where as yet there is 
no church built ; the Quakers are here very numerous ; 
the roads are, I think, the worst in the county ; but it is 
closer settled than others, and better peopled in propor- 
tion to its bigness. In their way of living they have 
much the advantage of the rest, being more industrious, 
careful and cleanly ; but above all I was surprised to see 
with what order, decency and seriousness they performed 
the public worship, considering how ignorant the people 
are in other parishes. This we owe to the care of one 
Mr. Griffin, who came here from some part of the West 
Indies, and has for three years past lived amongst them, 
being appointed reader by their vestry, whose diligent 
and devout example has improved them so far beyond 
their neighbors, and by his discreet behavior has gained 
such good character and esteem that the Quakers them- 
selves send their children to his school, though he has 
prayers twice a day at least, and obliges them to their 
responses, and all the other decencies of behavior^ as 
well as others." In 1708 Rev. James Adams moved to 
Pasquotank and took charge of the school,^ and Mr. 
Griffin went to the precinct and Parish of Chowan. 
Here he became lay-reader of the church and clerk of 



1. Colonial Records, Vol. I., p. 714. 

2. Ibid, Vol. I, p. 714. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 23 

the vestry; also opened a school. He was selected for 
the above duties at the suggestion of Mr. Gordon and 
received for his work for the church and vestry twenty 
pounds a year. 1 It seems that his school here did not 
succeed very well. From the records of that time, one 
would suppose that he became a Quaker and sinner;- 
his school here lasted but a short while at any rate. Of 
Mr, Adams' school in Pasquotank nothing is known. 
In 1712 a Mr. Mashburn had a little school at Sarum, on 
the border of North Carolina and Virginia. The Indians 
also attended this school.^ Rev. G. Rainsford, a mis- 
sionary to the Province, says of the school, writing July 
25, 1712, that the teacher was well deserving of encour- 
agement and that he should be given a salary ; that the 
pupils under his care could read and write, and had the 
principles of the christian religion ; that the Bible had 
been ona-jof-his text books. ^ 

These schools of Griffin, Adams and Mashburn are the 
only ones under the proprietors of which there is any 
record. One would judge that they cared nothing for 
schools or churches, but only for taxes. For some time 
after the Province went back to the Crown local schools 
were unknown. The wealthy planters sent their sons to 
England or Harvard, or had tutors in their own homes. 
The next school is found in New Hanover. Rev. James 
Moir, a representative of the Society for Propagating 
the Gospel, at Brunswick, in 1745, used the down stairs 
of his house for a chapel and school-room.^ 

In 1759 Col. James Innes died at Wilmington. By 
his will, which was made in 1754 and proved before 



1. Colonial Records, Vol. I, p. 684. 

2. Ibid, Vol. I, p. 721.. 

3. IMd, Vol. I, p. 859. Dr. Charles L. Smith gives his name as Washburn (p. 17, 
History of Education in North Carolina), but he must be mtstakeu ; Weeks and 
Drane both give it as Mashburn. 

4. Colonial Records, Vol. I, p. 859; also quoted by Smith (p. 17) and Drane (p. 105). 

5. Colonial Records, Vol. IV, p. 755; also Drane— Church History, p. 16(5. 



24 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Gov. Dobbs at Newbeni in 1759, his plantation, Point 
Pleasant, near Wilmington, his large personal estate, 
his library and one hundred pounds sterling were given 
for the use of a school. This was the first gift for educa- 
tional purposes in the State. The trustees were : "The 
Colonel of the New Hanover regiment, the parson of 
Wilmington Church, and the vestry for the time being, 
or a majority of them.'' Not very much was recovered 
from his property for school purposes, as the houses 
were burned. However, by an act of the Legislature of 
1783 the Innes Academy was started on foot ; and it was 
kept up for some time by private subscriptions. ^ About 
17G3 a school for the liighcr education of the youth was 
kept at Bandon, about fifteen miles above Edenton on 
the Chowan river, by Rev. Daniel Earl and his daugh- 
ter. Miss Nancy. The course included Latin, Greek, 
English branches and Mathematics. Mr. Earl was at 
the same time rector of St. Paul's Parish of Chowan; 
and his school had quite a good deal of influence in pro- 
moting correct principles of religion. - 

NEWBERN ACADEMY. 

In 1764 the school idea took hold of Newbern, and 
provisions were at once made for opening one there. 
This school has been claimed as a State institution by 
some ; by others it has been considered as purely a 
church enterprise. The truth seems to be that it has 
some of both in its history, but that for the most part it 
was a church or private school. The first mention of 
this is an act by the Assembly of 1764, by which a school 
building was to be erected on the church property by 



1. See Waddell's A Colonial Olliccr and His Tiuu'S, pp. 53-54. This is given by 
Weeks in his Libraries and Literature, p. 20(5. Drane also gives it, but states that 
the gift was made in 1751. The will was made in 1754, but not proved till 1759. 

2. Drane— Church History, pp. lOS-lUD. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 25 

private subscription.^ Mr. Dranc quotes from a letter 
of Rev. James Reed to tlie Society for Propagating the 
Gospel, dated .Tune, 17G4 : "We have now a prospect of 
a very fiourisliing school in the town of New Berne. In 

December last Mr. Tomlinson came here and, 

on the first of January, he opened a school in this town 
and immediately got as many scholars as he could 
instruct ; and many more have lately offered than he 
could possibly take, to do them justice. He has there- 
fore wrote to his friends in England to send him an 
assistant. ''2 The next year the people of Newborn peti- 
tioned Governor Tryon to got the Society to give Mr, 
Tomlinson a salary for teaching their children useful 
knowledge and the principles of the Church of England.^ 
The Society made the grant, and gave him ten pounds 
that year and fifteen for the next.'* Mr. Drane thinks 
that this fifteen pounds became a regular annual stipend. 
A new building was doubtless completed by 1700. At this 
time the school was in a very prosperous condition. The 
preamble to the act of the Assembly says : "Whereas, a 
number of well disposed persons, taking into consideration 
the great necessity of having a school established, whereby 
the rising generation may be brought up and instructed 
in the principles of the Christian Religion and fitted for 
the several offices and purposes of life, have, at a great 
expense, erected and built, in the town of New Berne, a 
convenient house for the purpose aforesaid ; and being 
desirous that the same may be established by law on a 
permanent footing, so as to answer the good purposes of 
the said persons intended, therefore trustees were to be 
elected to whom a charter should be given. "^ 



1. Draiie—Church History, p. Kli). 

2. Colonial Records, Vol. VI, p. 1018. 

3. Drane— Church History, pp. 1«9-17(). 

4. Ibid, p. 170. 

5. Ibid, p. 170. 



26 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

A provision was made for a tax on rum, in order to raise 
twenty pounds a year for the master and his assistant. In 
return for this money the teacher admitted ten poor 
children free of tuition, upon the advice of tlie trustees. 
It was required that the master be a member of the 
Church of England, as well as be licensed by the Gov- 
ernor. ^ This school was begun as a private and church 
affair ; and so it remained. The provision, by which the 
institution received a penny a gallon for all th3 rum 
imported and in return gave free tuition to ten poor 
children, was but a trade and did not take it from the 
hands of the Church. The Trustees, appointed in 17(34, 
were : Rev. James Reed, rector of the Parish, John Wil- 
liams, Joseph Leech, Thomas Clifford Howe, Thomas 
Haslen, Richard Cogdell and Richard Fenner.^ The 
ground for the school purposes was taken from the 
church yard. Rev. James Reed was the chief mover in 
all this educational movement and work ; his name 
stands at the head of the original trustees ; and also at 
the head of the thirty-nine leading citizens who peti- 
tioned Governor Tryon to secure an annual stipend for 
the teacher, Mr. Tomlinson. It was he who obtained 
and collected the subscriptions. ^ The building was 
forty-five feet long and thirty wide. Mr. Tomlinson, 
who began work in this new house about 1766, taught to 
the satisfaction and benefit of his fellowmen for several 
years. According to statements of both Governor Tryon 
and Mr. Reed, he was the only person of his profession 
who had good repute and could run a school success-' 
fully in the colony ; he was also a good collector of 
tuition bills. In 1765 he had thirty pupils, from whom 
he received twenty shillings by the quarter in proclama- 

1. Drane— Church History, p. 170. 

2. Sketches of Church History in North Carolina, note by the Editor, Rt. Rev 
J. B. Cheshire, Jr., D. D., p. 172. 

3. Ibid, p. 173. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 27 

tion money. This was increased by the grant from the 
Society. In 1766 he was given twelve pounds for acting 
as lay-reader during the absence of Mr. Reed.^ The 
income from the rum tax turned out to be more than 
was ever expected. In 1768 it brought to the trustees 
something like sixty pounds. There was also another 
source of income. The two half lots from the church yard, 
which belonged to the school, were leased for twenty-one 
years and the money from them went annuall}^ to the 
school fund. The first board of trustees was under the 
influence of Mr. Reed and the Church. When the new 
one came in, which was not long after the real beginning 
of the institution, they, to a large extent, cut themselves 
loose from the Church's jurisdiction ; and in consequence 
some difficulties soon arose. ^ However, the school still 
continued as a church institution ; and its prosperity for 
some time was rather marked. The first assistant, as 
far as there is any record, was Mr. James McCartney. 
He served from the beginning of the year 1767 till May 
1768 . In the Academy building were held the Assemblies 
of 1768, '69, '70 and '71. For the first year twenty 
pounds were given for its use ; and afterwards the amount 
was increased to forty. In 1772 the Trustees had some 
trouble with Mr. Tomlinson and dismissed him. Mr. 
Reed took his part and defended him strongly ; and in 
his defense said that he had been a great teacher in 
every respect. Mr. Tomlinson, however, was not rein- 
stated and moved to Rhode Island. His leaving was 
w^ith much regret on the part of the Society, at least, as 
they gave him a farewell gift of fifteen pounds.^ He 
seems to have been the first professional teacher in North 
Carolina. His influence upon a large section of the 
country around Newbern was great. 

1. Church History, note by the Editor, p. 174. , 

2. Ibid, pp. 174-175. 

3. Ibid, p. 176. . 



Yj 



28 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

From the time he left till about 1792 it is difficult 
to say who taught, or whether any one. It seems 
rather probable that Dr. Solomon Hailing, who was 
born in Pennsylvania and was a physician by pro- 
fession, was teaching in the Academy in 1792, when 
he was ordained deacon. He was a man of great 
force, and served with much acceptance the Church 
in Newbern until his removal to Wilmington in 
1795. Whether he was also teacher from 1792 to 1795 
we have no records. Among the subscribers to Francis 
Xavier Martin's Private Statutes of North Carolina, pub- 
lished in 1795, the name of Thomas Pitt Irving, A. M., 
Principal of Newbern Academy, is found. How long he 
had been principal before this is unknown. During his 
term the old building of Mr. Reed's was burned ; ^ so also 
was Tryon's Palace, which was used as the school house 
after the destruction of the Academy. He does not seem 
to have had much force. He remained in charge of the 
Church until 1813 ; whether he was teacher in the 
Academy so long we cannot say. It is very probable 
that there was no school for some time after the burn- 
ing of the Tryon Palace. Dr. Vass, in his His- 
tory of the Presbyterian Church in Newbern, says on 
page 75 that the present brick building was erected in 
1806. The writer finds no record of any school between 
this time and the burning of the Palace. He also states 
that Gaston, Badger, Stanley, Spaight, Hawks, and 
many others equally as great, were educated in the older 
building. This brings the eighteenth century part to q, 
close. However, as the history of the school is in the 
main continuous, the nineteenth century part will also 
be given in this connection. Rev. George Strebeck took 
charge of both the pulpit and the school room in 1813. 
He had as an assistant in 1814 Mr. John Phillips. They 

1. Cheshire— Church History, Decay and Revival, p. 258. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 29 

both left about 1815. lu 1816 Rev. Jehu Curtis Clay 
took charge of both the school and Church. ^ Rev. 
Edward B. Freeman, D. D., was principal 1818-1819. 
He filled the same place some years before, but tlie 
writer has not been able to find out when or how long. 
He was followed by Mr. Fredrick Freeman. The school 
was then in a very flourishing condition, there being 
almost two hundred pupils. He was succeeded by Mr. 
Robert G. Moore ; and he in turn gave place to Mr. Wil- 
liam B. Wads worth, who held it for several years. So 
far as can be ascertained he gave up the work about 
1834. Mr. Edward Hughes was then principal for some 
time. Messrs. Mayhew, Gordon and Bryant guided the 
institution to the beginning of the Civil War. Mr. Gor- 
don was principal for about two years ; the other two 
were in control for quite a while each, and both suc- 
ceeded well.^ 

EDENTON ACADEMY. 

Edenton came right along with Newbern in educational 
ideals and works. As early as 1770 two lots had been 
bought and a house built. During this year the school 
was chartered, according to which the teacher was to be 
aChurchman.^ The money for the building was obtained 
by private subscription. Joseph Blount, Joseph Hewes, 
Robert Hardy, Thomas Jones, George Blair, Richard 
Brownrigg and Samuel Johnston were the first trustees. 
These were all Churchmen, members of St. Paul's Parish. 
The school in this place was very much like the one in 
Newbern, though it never received any money from the 
State Government. The teacher and minister sometimes 



1. Cheshire— Church History, Decay and Revival, p. 2-59. 

2. Letter from Col. John D. Whitford, of Newbern. 

3. Drane— Church History, p. IVl. 



30 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

interchanged their work here. The requirement that 
the teacher had to be a Churchman was not carried out. 
Messrs. Pettigrew and Freeman were Presbyterian 
preachers when they took charge; and Mr. Avery, 
another teacher, was a member of the Congregation 
Church. 1 As the eighteenth and nineteenth century parts 
of the history of tliis school are so closely connected, they 
will be considered together, as in the case of the one at 
Newbern. Mr. Pettigrew, at first a Presbyterian preacher, 
had charge in 1773 ; and it seems that he continued 
principal till his death in 1808. Then Rev. Jonathan 
Otis Freeman, a brother of Bishop Freeman, took 
charge. During the year 1809 the Trustees paid him 
six hundred dollars for his services in the Academy and 
four hundred "for delivering lectures to the students on 
the Sabbath." He was a man of fine ability and cul- 
ture ; and had great influence upon his community. In 
1811 he turned over both the Church and Academy to 
Rev. Fredrick W. Hatch, of Maryland. He received the 
same salary for the first year. At the end of .1811 he 
gave up the school-room to Mr. John Avery, though he 
continued as preacher till 1815. Mr. Avery became lay- 
reader in 1815, and soon afterward turned his entire 
attention to the ministry.- He was a native of Massa- 
chusetts ; went to Williams' College, afterwards to Yale, 
where he graduated in 1812. Though a son of a Congre- 
gation deacon, he became a Churchman soon after he 
took charge of the Academy. He was ordained deacon 
in 1817 and priest in 1818 ; and continued as rector of^ 
St. Paul's Church, of Eden ton, until 1835. He was a 
man of fine learning, and commanded the respect of all.^ 
Both the Newbern and Edenton academies had much 

1. Drane — Church History, note by the Editor, p. 179. 

2. Cheshire— Churcli History, Decay and Revival, p. 256. 

3. Ibid, p. 257. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 31 

to do in the political, social, intellectual and religious 
development of the eastern part of the State ; they were 
the sources of life and light for a long while. The early 
history of the State was to a large extent in the hands of 
the men of the east ; and these had come in contact 
with such centers. Bishop Cheshire says, in his note to 
Drane's paper on the Colonial Parishes and Church 
Schools : "If the roll of the pupils of these two academies 
could be recovered, and if the story of their influence 
upon the public men of North Carolina from 1790-1835 
could be fully told, it would probably be found that only 
the University of the State has had a greater effect in 
our hiscory than these two Colonial Schools."^ 

THE EARLY PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOLS. 

As has already been mentioned, these schools played a 
very important part in the early culture and life of the 
State. The Presbyterians were leaders of intellectual and 
religious growth during the latter half of the eighteenth 
century. They introduced a new life principle, and gave 
vigor and enthusiasm to many sections, especially in 
those along the Cape Fear river and in Guilford, Ala- 
mance, Orange, Rowan, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and 
Iredell counties. They were a restless and energetic 
people, and taught and loved patriotism. Many of the 
first conflicts between the inhabitants of the Province and 
the royal Governors took place among them. ^ They 
have been more thoroughly devoted to education than 
any other denomination. It has meant life as well as 
light to them ; it has made them independent and patri- 
otic, strong and noble. They were really our first 
teachers, and during the latter half of the eighteenth 

1. Church History, p. 179. 

2. See Foote's Sketches and Caruther's Life of CaldwelL 



32 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

century they were well nigh our only ones. While the 
Churcliof England furnished some, still taking the whole 
Colony into consideration, it was the Presbyterian who 
preached, and governed the school-room. In almost 
every case when a church was orgaiiized a school soon 
became a permanent fixture ; and the preacher was the 
teacher. 1 As proof of the above assertion Sugar Creek, 
Poplar Tent, Centre, Bethany, Buffalo, Thyatira, Grove, 
Wilmington and the churches of Henry Patillo in Orange 
and Granville counties, all had schools taught by the 
pastor. 2 

In these schools as well as in the churches the college 
of New .Jersey (or Nassau Hall, now called Princeton 
College) had great influence. Look over the roll of most 
of the great characters of this State during the last cen- 
tury, and one will find a very large number of them 
graduates or students of this famous institution ; it was 
the never failing source of life and light to this dark 
Colony. Dr. Charles L. Smith gives three full pages to 
its influence; 3 and much more could be written. In 
this sketch, however, only the principal names will be 
mentioned. Rev. Hugh McAden, of the class of 1753, a 
native of Pennsylvania, came here in 1755 and became 
the real founder of the Presbyterian Church in this State 
and much of the South. ^ Alexander Martin, a Colonel 
in the Revolutionary War, Governor in 1782 and again 
in 1789, Senator in United States Senate from 1793 to 
1799, was educated there. ^ Rev. Alexander McWhorter, 
a native of New Jersey, who came to Charlotte as presi- 
dent of Liberty Hall Academy in 1780, was of the class 

1. See Foote's Sketchos for these general statement!? about the Presbyterian 
Schools. 

2. Foote's Sketches, p. 51.3. 

3. Smith's History of Educatio-n in North Carolina, pp. 23-26. 

4. Foote's Sketches, pp. 1-58-160. 

5. Smith's History of Education, p. 24; Wheeler's Historical Sketches, Vol. 11. 
pp. 181-182. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 33 

of 1757.1 Rev. Joseph Alexander, the preacher and 
teacher of Sugar Creek for some time after 1766 and the 
promoter of Queen's Museum, was of the class of 1760.^ 
Rev. David Caldwell, the great preacher and teacher of 
Guilford county, was of the class of 1761.^ Ephraim Bre- 
vard, M. D., and Waighstill Avery, Esq. , the first the 
great and leading spirit of the Mecklenburg Declaration 
of Independence and the second a promoter of education 
and culture, were of the classes of 1768 and 1766. •^ Isaac 
Alexander, M. D., at one time president of Liberty Hall 
Academy, of the class of 1772 ;S Rev. James Hall, of 
Clio's Nursery, 1774; William R. Davie and Nathaniel 
Alexander, Governors of the State 1798 and 1805,^ of the 
class of 1776 ; Rev. Joseph Caldwell, D. D., president of 
the University of North Carolina from 1797-1812 and 
1816-1835, of the class of 1791 ;^ Judge William Gaston, 
perhaps our most illustrious jurist, of the class of 1796.^ 
These are but a few of the many strong characters in 
our eai'ly history who were educated there. 

In this connection the efforts of the New York and 
Pennsylvania Synods should be mentioned. The first 
churches and schools in most of the Colony were due to 
their worthy missionary works. Many Presbyterians 
had come to North Carolina before they began to con- 
sider this as missionary territory. Among those who 
first came there were very few who had fine education or 
culture. The Synods of the North saw their opportunity 
and sent to this and others of the Southern Colonies 
enthusiastic and learned preachers and teachers ; and it 

1. Foote's Sketches, p. 514. 

2. Ibid, p. 513 ; Smith, p. 24. 

3. Caruther's Life of Caldwell, p. 19. 

4. Foote's Sketches, p. 515 ; Smith, p. 24. 

5. Foote's Sketches, p. 322. 

6. Wheeler's Historical Sketches, Vol. I, p. 98, • 

7. Foote's Sketches, p. 538. 

8. Wheeler's Historical Sketches, Vol. II, p. 114. 



34 'i'lll'] CllUllCn AND PUT V ATE 

was this new element that gave such life to tlic inuhllo 
part of North C'arolina.^ 

Wlien wo come to decido upon tho oldest of tliose 
schools iuu(di uucortaiuty and difficulty are met with. 
The fact seems to l)e that several of them were begun 
about the same time. Foote, on page 51 8 of his Sketches, 
says that tiie one within the bounds of the Sugar Creek 
congregation seems to be the oldest. Rev. Alexander 
Craigliead was pastor from Sept. 2, 1757 to March, 1766. ^ 
Rev. Joseph Alexander, a relative of the McKnitt Alex- 
anders, was his successor. He was licensed by New 
Castle Presbytery in 1767, and during October of the 
same year he accepted the call to Sugar Creek. =^ He 
seems to have been a very fine scholar, a graduate of the 
class of 17()0 at Nassau Hall. Foote says that he in 
connection with a Mr. Benedict taught a classical school 
of high excellen(te.-* How long this school was kept here 
there is no record ; nor could it have begun sooner than 
1768. Mr. Alexander went from Sugar Creek to Bul- 
lock's Creek, South Carolina, and remained there a long 
time as preacher and teacher; and had the repntation 
of being a great teacher. Rev. Samuel C. Caldwell, son 
of Dr. David Caldwell, of Guilford, became pastor of 
Sugar Creek and Hopewell early in 1792;^ and there is 
no record of another pastor between him and Mr. Alex- 
ander. So that it is rather probable^ that the school here 
was run for some time after its beginning. As this 
school could not have begun earlier than 1768, Foote is 
mistaken in supposing it the first of the Presbyteriau 



1. See Foote niul etirui Ium's for tlu'Si' gciu'ral slatcinents. 

'2. Fi)oti''s Skotchos, pp. IStl-Iii-J. 

3. U)id,pp. ISi:{-19l. 

4. Uiid, p. liM. 

5. Ibid.p.lW. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 35 

schools. He liimself says that Rev. James Tate estab- 
lished a classical school in Wilmington in 1760,^ the 
first ever opened in that town. He taught here for 
eighteen years, and educated and influenced many of the 
young men of New Hanover who took such an active 
part against the British in the War of the Revolution. 
His principles were so strong and his patriotism for his 
adopted country so true, being an Irishman, that he left 
here during the Revolution and went to Hawfields, 
Orange county. While he taught for his living, he also 
preached for many of his faith thi-ough Nevy Hanover 
and the surrounding counties. He was a very striking 
personality and had great influence wherever he went.^ 

CROWFIELD. 

During the same year (1760) anotherschool was begun 
in Centre congregation ; and many claim this as the first. 
This congregation was very large at first, filled a })i'oad 
area from the Yadkin to the Catawba. It had within 
its bounds many of tlie greatest men of our early history — 
the Brevards, Osbornes and Davidsons.^ Rev. James 
McRee, D. D., a graduate of Nassau Hall, of the class of 
1775, was its pastor from 1798 to about 1828. Davidson 
College was built and still has its location in this charge. 
The name of the school was Crowfield. Rev. Jethro 
Rumple in his History of Rowan County, in speaking of 
Rev. Alexander Craighead establishing Thyatira, Fourth 
Creek and Centre churches, says that there were "old- 
field" schools in these charges as early as 1758 ; and that 
by 1760 there was a classical school at Belle Mont, the 
old manor of Col. Alexander Osborne, by the name of 

1. Footp's Sketcheb, p. 178. 

2. Ibid. p. 178. 

a. Ibid, pp, 1:33-134.' 



36 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Crowfield Academy. ^ This school was about two and 
one-half miles north-east of the present site of Davidson 
College, in the lower end of Iredell county, at the head 
waters of Rocky river and within the bounds of Centre 
church. 2 It continued for twenty years, until the British 
invasion in 1780 broke it up.-^ Some of the most learned 
men of the time conducted this scliool : Rev. David 
Kerr, a graduate of the Dublin University, who was 
later a Professor in the University of North Carolina ; 
Dr. Charles Caldwell, who afterwards became a Professor 
in a medical school in Philadelphia.^ Dr. David Cald- 
well is said to have taught here a short while before he 
began his work in Guilford. ^ The statement, however, 
is not well established. 

Many gi-eat characters were educated hei-e ; its influ- 
ence was deep and wide. Students came even from the 
West Indies.^ Mr. Leazer says: "Here in this institu- 
tion were moulded the minds of some of the bravest 
spirits and strongest men of that or any day and gener- 
ation, the men wlio made gloi'ious history and gave 
orignal direction to the civil and ecclesiastical policy of 
the embryo nation. Here were educated Dr McRee, 
the scholarly divine ; Dr. James Hall, the learned and 
military parson ; Dr. McCorkle one of the foremost edu- 
cators the country has ever produced; C-ol. Adlai 
Osborne, the wise counsellor and able defender of tlie 
people's rights; Dr. Ephraim Brevai'd, the heaven-in- 
spired author of the Historic Declaration, and probably 
Hugh Lawson White, a prominent candidate for the 

1. History of Rowan County, p. 82. 

■2. Rev. E. F. Rockwell, D. D., in Nortli Carolina Journal of Education, July.iSoSt, 
pp. 20-l-'200. 

3. Foote's Sketches, p. iSi. 

4. Address to the Alumni of Davidson Collc{,'e l)y Hon. A. Leazor, .June, 1887. 
Semi-Centenary Addresses, p. o. 

-5. Rumple's History of Rowan County, p. 84. 
0. Address by Leazer, p. 0. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 37 

Presidency of the United States in 1836."^ These 
assertions will perhaps be considered too high praise. 
Admitting that there may be some of flattery in them, 
still there is very much of truth. The writer finds that 
Dr. Rumple,, in his His,;ory of Rowan County, page 84, 
fully approves of such statements; also that Dr. Rock- 
well, Journal of Education , July 1859, gives equally as 
strong praise, and to the number given adds : Dr. Alex- 
ander Osborne, Dr. William Houston, Professor in Nas- 
sau Hall, Adam Springs, E. J. Osborne, Dr. Charles 
Harris, Rev James McKnight, Rev. Josiah Lewis, and 
John Carrigau. Foote gives the name of another prin- 
cipal of this school, Mr. McEwin.^ 

Caldwell's log college. 

The next school in order of time was Caldwell's "Log 
College," which began in 1766 or 1767, about the same 
time as the one in Sugar Creek Congregation. In order 
of importance and length of duration it is by all odds 
the first; in fact. Dr. David Caldwell has no equal in 
the whole educational and religious history of the State. 
He lived in active and heroic times ; he moulded and 
shaped much of North Carolina for sixty years. His 
life and character are so striking that a rather extensive 
sketch of him as a preacher and teacher will be given 
here. However, the writer has been unable to find any- 
thing absolutely orignal on the subject. Most of the 
points given are taken from Foote' s Sketches, Caruthers' 
Life of Caldwell, Wheeler's Historical Sketches and 
Reminiscences. The writer has talked with Hon. D F. 
Caldwell, of Greensboro, his oldest living descendant, 
and has obtained from him confirmation of most of the 

1. Address by Leazer, p. 6. 
■2. Foote's Sketches, p. 434. 



38 TIIK CIIUIU'H AND PIMVATR 

Statements made in this connection. I)i-. Smith also lias 
g;iven a rather extended view of him ; and he has used 
the same autliorities as have been consulted for this 
sketch. 

Di-. Caldwell was horn in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- 
vania, March the 22nd, 1725. His parents were in 
fairly good circumstances and were of spotless character.^ 
While in his teens he was bound to a house carpenter, 
for whom he worked till he was twenty-one years of age. 
He had received the mere rudiments of an English edu- 
cation whih;! a boy, but was twenty-five before he began 
in deep earnestness to educate himself up to the best of 
that time. 2 He determined now to make every saci'ifice 
necessary to educate himself for the ministry ; and too 
he iiad higli ho])e of Christ in his heart. Vei-y little is 
known of liis disposition and talents till he had made up 
his mind to go to Nassau Hall. While his father had 
enough means to send him, still he of his own accord 
made the proposition to his brothers, that, if they would 
supply him with the necessary money with which to go 
thi'ough college, he would give up any further claim to a 
share in the estate.^ He seems to have received his pre- 
paration from Rev. Robei't Smith, the father of John. B, 
Smith, President of Hampden-Sidney College, of Vir- 
ginia, and of Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith, D. J)., Pres- 
ident of Princeton College^,^ in the eastern part of his 
native State ; and he taught school a year or so be- 
fore going to college. It is not known as to when he 
entered Nassau Hall, but he received his A. B. degree iu 
1701 ■/" and with great earnestness and perseverance had 
he pursued his studies. Though he was thirty-six years 

1. Caruthcrs' Life of C'nldwcU, i). 10-M. 

2. Ujid. p. 14-15. 
8. Ibid, p. 18. 

•1. Footo's Sketches, p. '2!i2. 

5. Caruthcrs' Life of Caldwell, p. 1S». 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 39 

of age when lie graduated, he felt no shame — he had 
done his best. After his graduation, he taught for one 
year at Cape May, and in connection with teaching he 
kept up his theological studies. At the end of the year 
he went back to Princeton and became an assistant in 
the department of languages dui-ing the absence of the 
regular Pi'ofessor ; and at the same time he spent most 
of his force in his studies for the ministry.^ He was 
ordained and licensed by the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
wick during the year 1762. He was given supply work 
in this Presbytery's territory 1763 and 1764. 

On the 16th of May, 1765, he was appointed by the 
Presbytery to labor one year at least as a missionary in 
North Carolina. From the fact that at the same meet- 
ing he received a call from Buffalo and Alamance set- 
tlements in North Carolina it is rather probable that he 
had visited here as early as 1764. On the 6th of July, 
1765, he was set apart for the ministry and was dismissed 
to join the Pi'esbytery of Hanover in Virginia. He 
doubtless came to North Carolina as early as he coul4 
get off after this meeting. ^ At any rate, he seems to 
have been located in Guilford (then a part of Rowan) 
county by 1766. He settled about three miles north-west 
of Greensboro, among friends who had emigrated from 
Pennsylvania a few years before. Soon after his coming 
he married a daughter of Rev. Alexander Craighead, of 
Mecklenburg county, who once lived in his native sec- 
tion in Pennsyvania. His installation as pastor of 
Buffalo and Alamance churches took place March 3rd, 
1768.^ He now began one of the longest ministries on 
record and a career that has few equals among any peo- 
ple. He came and settled permanently among the very 



1. Caruthers' Life of Caldwell, p. 20. 

2. Ibid. p. 22. 

3. Ibid. p. 23. 



40 'i'HE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

first ; and remained longer than almost any one of them. 
He had these two churches for the remaining part of his 
long life ; and nobly did he serve them. They wore quite 
a distance apart and at the beginning were rather poor. 
The wliole colony was in bad financial circumstances ; 
the Fi-ench War liad lelt a heavy debt, and trade was 
restricted by the unjust laws made by the Royal Gov- 
ernors.^ At first they promised their pastor but two 
luHidi'cd dollars ; and this was to be paid in grain if the 
people chose. He at once saw that he could not sup- 
port a family on this and bought a farm of about two 
hundred and fifty aci'es, near Buffalo church. Upon 
this tract of land he raised most of his provisions. 

Very soon after his installation as pastor he began his 
famous scliool at his own log home. He kept this up 
with only two or three interruptions until old age told 
heavily on him;- and it was here that he really per- 
formed his great life work. Not long afterwards he 
turned his attention to the study and practice of medi- 
cine. In the wilderness around him he saw the great 
need of an educated phvsician. He acquired a fair 
knowledge of medicine, and practiced it in connection 
with his ministerial duties for several years, until his 
fourth son was prepared to do his work.^ He was a con- 
spicuous figure in the War of the Regulators, which termi- 
nated in the battle of Alamance, May IGtli, 1771 ; not as 
a soldier, but as an arbiter and promoter of peace. Many 
of his members, especially of Alamance church, belonged 
to the Regulators.'* Some think that he himself had^ 
preached and worked for their principles and cause. It 
is more probable that he gave his influence to reconcile 
both sides. Dr. Caruthers, on page 142 of his Life of 

1. Caruthers' Life of Caldwell, p. 2i». 

2. Ibid. p. 2i». 
;i. n)id. p. 4-.'. 

i. Ibid. pp. 14S-15-1. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 41 

Caldwell, says : "If my information be correct, Dr. Cald- 
well was favorable to the cause of tbe Regulators, but 
not to some of their means," He was without a doubt 
a true American ; and took a very active part in behalf 
of the War of the Revolution. He was a member of the 
Convention which met in Halifax, Nov. 12th, 1776, in 
which our Bill of Rights and State Constitution were 
formed and adopted ;^ was also a member of the Conven- 
tion of 1778 to consider the Constitution of the United 
States. He had shown himself of so much worth to the 
cause of Independence, tliat when the British made their 
cruel invasion of middle North Carolina, in tlie early part 
of 1781, they offered a reward for him. It is even said 
that his character was well known to C()rnwallis before 
he reached the boundary of the Colony \^ also that the 
offered reward was two hundred pounds, but that no 
betrayer for this great amount of money could be found 
within liis congregations.-" He was never obtained by 
the British, though the army of Cornwallis encamped on 
his premises, occupied his house, consumed all of his 
provisions, and bui'ned his large library and valuable 
manuscripts and papers.'* 

Though his home, which was near the scene of the 
Battle of Guilford Court House, March 15th, 1781, and 
the whole surrounding country were pillaged by the 
ruthless soldiers of Cornwallis, still prosperity soon 
afterward began to come back, and Dr. Caldwell again 
worked with the hearts and minds of his fellowmen. He 
taught and fought against the great flood of French infi- 
delity which was then reaching the far away State of 
North Carolina. When the Univirsity of this State was 
established he was offered the Presidency, but in conse- 

1. Caruthers' Life of Caldwell, p. LSOnio. 

2. Ibid. p. 209. 
a. Ibid, p. 210. 

4. Ibid, pp. 218-224. 



42 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

quence of his age and his love for his churches, lie pi"e- 
ferred to spend the remaining part of his life among 
those for whom he had toiled for more than a quarter of 
a century. 1 Though he would not accept their offer, 
they made him a D. D. in 1810.^ He continued to 
preach to his churches until about 1820 ; and when his 
end on earth came, August 25th, 1824,^ he had spent 
well nigh sixty 3^ears in the service of the ministry to his 
fellowmen. During the most of which time he had been 
their teacher as well as their preacher. He was stout 
and enduring, affectionate to family and friends, dili- 
gent and conscientious in teaching intellectual and spir- 
itual truths, patriotic and learned. 

When we consider l]is school and its influence a great 
deal may well be said. He was a thorough scholar and 
had great tact in managing boys. He knew the correct 
theories of life and education and had a wonderful facultv 
of imparting instruction.'^ His mode of discipline was 
very peculiar to himself and very effective. He did not 
use the rod, nor is there any I'ecord of his ever having 
expelled a single student. His scholarship and character 
commanded their utmost respect. His disposition was 
of such a unique kind that he would give rebukes and 
corrections never to be forgotten ; and such rebukes 
never won the ill-will of the pupil toward him. His 
countenance and manners, calmness and humor, won 
their hearts. ^ He knew how to inspire deep thoughts 
and great deeds in the boy. This was a school without 
a single parallel in North Carolina. The only school 
like it in the Thirteen States that the writer knows of was 
the famous academy at Willington, Abbeville county, 



1. Carnthers' Life t)f Caldwell, p. 265. 

2. General Catalogue of the University, p. 288. 

3. Caruthers' Life of Caldwell, p. 2tJS. 

4. Ibid, p. 80. 

5. Ibid, pp. 31-32 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 43 

South Carolina, run by Dr. Moses Wacldel.^ Think of 
such a character in a log school house, a doubled storied 
one with a chimney in the middle, which was built in 
his own yard, pourings,' out his deep life to about fifty 
boys or young men in those early times of darkness, and 
this too year after year for a long while. His pupils 
numbered from fifty to sixty — a large number indeed for 
such times and conditions.^ 

He soon won such a reputation that students came to 
his school from every State south of the Potomac. It is 
the opinion of eveiy one who knew him, that he influ- 
enced more men to take high stands in the public pro- 
fessions than an}' other man of his times in tlie Southern 
States.^ Many pupils of his became famous as states- 
men, lawyers, jurists, physicians and preachers. Some 
prepared for Princeton or Chapel Hill, after it was estab- 
lished ; many of those who became most distinguished in 
the various vocations received their c>nly education under 
his guidance. Five of them became Governors of differ- 
ent States; a great many more members of Congress. 
John M. Morehead, one of the State's greatest Governors 
and citizens; Judges Murphy and McCoy, two of our 
most eminent jurists ; and Rev. Samuel E. McCorkle, I). 
D., Rev. John Mathews, D. D., and Rev. John Ander- 
son, D. D., great among divines — these are a few of his 
illustrious students. To have passed through the course 
at his school with his approbation was a passport 
throughout the whole South."* Dr. Caruthers says on 
page 31 of his Life of Caldwell : "Probably no man in 
the Southern States has had a more enviable reputation 
as a teacher, or was more beloved by his pupils ; and no 
man, with the same number of scholars, ever had so few 



1. See Meriwether's History of Higher Education in South Carolina, pp. oT-l-t. 

2. Caruthers' Life of Caldwell, p. 31. 
8. Caruthers' Life of Caldwell, p. 30. 
4. Ibid, pp. 30-31. 



44 THE CHURCH A.ND PRIVATE 

occurences of an unpleasant kind while they wei-e under 
his care, or saw less to reo"ret in their subsequent con- 
duct." His pupils, without a single exception, whatso- 
ever their abilities or attainments, regarded him through 
life with the greatest veneration as an instructor, and 
cherished his memory as a christian man with the deepest 
and truest affection. Many of them are said to have 
shed tears at the mention of his name, or when passing 
by the church in which he preached to them so long and 
well, and the graveyard in which his remains lie buried.^ 
His school was in eveiy wa}' the right arm of the 
church. 2 While the whole country is much and deeply 
indebted to it for the general spread of knowledge and 
culture, literature and science, still the Presbyterian 
Church especially owes much of its very existence and 
growth to this heroic character,^ who in almost a wilder- 
ness kept a beacon light brightly burning for more than 
thirty years. A great preacher, a true pastor and patriot ; 
a greater teacher and guide of the youth. 

queen's museum. 

The next school in order of time was Queen's Museum 
at Charlotte. It was intended to be on the most exten- 
sive scale of any institution in the country, and, had its 
plans been carried out, would have equalled the Univer- 
sity.^ It began, as has already been mentioned, about 
1767. It was the outgrowth of the little classical school 
run by Rev. Joseph Alexander and a Mr. Benedict, 
w^ithin the bounds of Sugar Creek congregation.^ The 
school was in an intelligent and prosperous community ; 



1. Car\Uhers' Life of Caldwell, p. 3G. 

2. Ibid, p. 39. 

3. Ibi.i.p. 40. 

4. Ii)id,p. 194. 

5. Foote's Sketches, p. 513. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 45 

and to keep up with the demands of such a people 
vigorous efforts were made to raise it to the rank of a 
college. 1 On December 5th, 1770, it was chartered as 
Queen's Museum by the Colonial Legislature, which met 
at Newbern.2 This charter was set aside by the King 
and his council. The charter was afterwards amended 
and passed the second time, but only to be annuled again 
by the King. Royalty too well recognized that such an 
institution would be the producing force of democratic 
ideas and principles.^ The school went on. however, 
without a charter. The great majority of the people 
living in this section, between the Yadkin and Catawba 
rivers, wei-e Presbyterians. They used their combined 
influence to secure a charter.** The King and his Gov- 
ernors were of the Church of England, and had no desire 
oi' intention of seeing a strongly organized force of 
another church growing up in their own bounds, espe- 
cially when that church was the Presbyterian, their 
opponent by nature and principle. The hall was used 
for political debates and literary clubs previous to the 
Revolution ; and the debates of that historic convention 
which formulated the Mecklenburg Declaration of Inde- 
pendence also took place here.^ This was indeed the 
center of the "hornets' nest of the Revolution.'" 

It seems that students were here at work from the 
time of its first charter till the British invasion of Char- 
lotte in 1780. Foote gives a copy of an original 
diploma: 

"The Moderator and Members of Union Society in 
Queen's Museum, Charlotte, to all whom these presents 



1. Foote's Sketches, p. .51.3. 

2. Davis's Second Revisal. 

3. Foote's Sketches, p. 513. 

4. Caruthers' Life of Caldwell, pp. 192-193. 

5. Foote's Sketches, p. 514; Vass's Eastern Nortii Carolina, p. 40. 



46 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

may come, with Peace and Safety. Be it hereby certi- 
fied that we have bestowed upon James McEwen this 
Diploma in testimony of his having been a member of 
our Society, and of his having through the whole time 
of our connection together deported himself in such a 
manner as to merit our full approbation, both as a faith- 
ful assistant in school, and a regular, useful member of 
Society. 

"Of the above let our names under-written be a wit- 
ness. 

"Given in Union Society, at the stated meeting in the 
Hall of Queen's Museum, Charlotte, on Friday, 27th of 
September, in the year of our Loi'd one thousand, seven 
hundred and seventy-six." This diploma was signed by 
Jno. Kerr, Moderator, Handy Harris, Clerk, William 
Humphrey, Tbos. Henderson and Francis Cummins, 
membei"s.^ 

The name was changed to Liberty Hall Academy, per- 
haps during the year 1775;^ and under this name it 
received a charter. It did not receive any funds from 
the State and was entirely under the control of the Pres- 
byterian Church.^ During April, 1777, an act was 
passed by which the following were made trustees : 
Isaac Alexander, M. D., President; Col. Thomas Polk, 
Col. Thomas Neal, Abraham Alexander, Waightstill 
Avery, Ephraim Brevard, M. D., Adlai Osborne, John 
McKnitt Alexander, Rev. David Caldwell, Rev. James 
Hall, Rev. James Edmunds, Rev. John Simpson, Rev. 
Thomas Rees, Rev. Thomas McCaule, and Rev. Samuel^ 
McCorkle.^ Dr. Isaac Alexander, Rev. Thomas McCaule 
and Dr. Ephraim Brevard were made a committee to 
frame a system of laws for the government of the Academy. 

1. Foote's Sketches, p. 514. 

2. Wheeler's Reminiscences, p. 230; also quoted by Dr. Smith. 
b. Foote's Sketches, p. 515. 

4. Ibid, p. 515; Caruthers' Life of Caldwell, p. 193. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 47 

The first meeting of the whole body of trustees was held 
on January 3rd, 1778. At this meeting it was deter- 
mined to buy lots from Col. Thomas Polk at the price of 
nine hundred and twenty pounds. On these lots were 
already some buildings. This meeting appointed com- 
missioners to make improvements, especially to build a 
suitable frame house for a dining room. They fixed the 
salary of the President at one hundred and ninety-five 
pounds. This was to be increased in pi-oportion as pro- 
visions increased in price. Their regulations about 
boarding were fine. In April, 1778, the laws formed by 
the special committee appointed for the purpose were 
adopted by the whole board. The course of studies was 
in the main the same as was later formulated by the 
trustees of the University of the State. The trustees had i 
no power to give degrees, but only certificates of studies 
and improvements. 

After they had the institution set on foot as a college, 
they began to look out for a President.^ The fame of 
Dr. Alexander McWhorter, of New Jersey, had reached 
the leading characters of North Carolina ; and too he had 
visited the churches here in 1764-1765. ^ His name was 
the first choice in this meeting of April, 1778. He could 
not accept their ofi"er and request. His aff'airs at home 
were too much deranged in consequence of the War of 
the Revolution and also of his absence on that mission- 
ary tour of independence, through the Southern States, 
which he made at the request of the Continental Con- 
gress. Mr. Robert Brown field then accepted the office 
for one year, at the end of which Dr. Ephraim Brevard 
and Rev. Samuel E. McCorkle, D. D., were sent North 
to make overtures the second time to Dr. McWhorter. 

1. See manuscript of Adlai Osborne in the Library of the University of North 
Carolina; quoted by Caruthers in his Life of CaMwall, pp. 19ii-194; the points of 
whieli are given by Foote, Sketches, pp. 514-515. 

2. Foote's Sketches, p. 514. 



IS 



'rilh; cillMtCII AND I'lllVA'I'K 



This tiiiH! ho ;mu:((|)1c(I. II(! {i,t once settled up his ad'airs 
ill his iia,tiv(! S(at(! and moved to (Mia,rh)llc. lie was 
ready to take chai'^c ol' iIk* insi ii iition , when the vvhoh; 
allair was siispeinUid on accoimt ol' the (•oiirni;^,' invasion 
of the liritisli. This was (h)n(^ I'^chniary loth, I7S(); and 
tJi(! school was never resniiie(| a.i;a/ni.' 

When the forces ol' ( loniwa Mis were in ('harlottc Lih- 
(M'ty Hall y\c;ideiiiy wa,s ns(!d as a, lios|)ita,l and was hadly 
injured. 'This school occn|)ied tln^ ^'roiiiid ii])on vvhi(di 
I he dweHin;.'; house of Mr. .Jiilins Alexander was al'tcM'- 
wards erected.'-' When |)ea(re came the idea of liavinj^ a 
college here any lon^iu' was {riven up; and pa,st. hopes 
wen^ turned over to Mount Zioii (!olle^e at Winnshorou^h , 
South ( 'arolina, over which the i;rea.l K'cv. 'riioinas II. 
Mcdauh", l>. I)., once tln^ pasior of (!ent re, presidiMl. To 
this or to I'rineelon ( '<)lle<2,'(! tJie l*r(\sl)yteriaii hovs went, 
for their higher Irainini;- until the lhiiv(!rsity of North 
Carolina was oixnied.'' i^'ootci says that Mr. Thonnis 
Henderson used tlie Acad(uny for a- Ili^ii Scdiool, which 
he carried on with great ciHsdit and inlliKnicc for sevt;ral 
yea.rs. ' lie also ^ives a, c-o|)y of a. certilicalc! of scholar- 
ship gr.Mited hy the trustees of the old a.ca.dcnny : 



" Sr.vri': oh' North Carolina, / 
M lA'K \A<]si\v\ui CoifN'rv. S 

"This is l(» certify that Mr. John (Jrahain hath been a 
student, in tli(! Academy of Lil>erty Hall in the State and 
County al)OV(^ menlioned, the spa.c(> of four years pre- 
codin*;' tht^ date h(M-eof, that his whole dei)orlinenl diir- 
iuij; his residence there was |)erfectly re<;nlar; tlia.the" 
prosecuted his studies with d ili_i;-euce , and made such 
ac(]uisit ions holli in the laii«;na.ges and scientific learning;' 



1. .Miiiui.scrli)t. (if .Vdliil Osl.oriK 

2. |i\iiil('S' SUclclu^s, p. r)|(i. 

;i. ii>i>i, |..r)i7. 

I. Ilild, p. filT. 



SCHOOLS OF NOJITII CAKOLINA. 49 

as gave entire satisfaction to liis teacher. And he is 
hereby recommended to th(3 friendly notice and regard 
of all lovers of Religion and Literature wherever he 
comes. In testimony of which tliis is given at Liberty 
Hall, this 22d of November, 1778, ai)d signed by Lsaac 
V. Alexander, President, Ej^hi-aim Brevaixl and Abraham 
Alexander, Trustees." ^ 

Of this school Dr. Cai-uther's says on pages 194-195 of 
his Life of Caldwell: "The history of Liberty Hall 
Acadeny is interesting to the fi'iends of literature as a 
bold and vigorous effort made for its promotiijn ;it that 
early day, ;uid uiid(!i- the most discouraging circum- 
stances ; and it is especially interesting to Presbyterians 
as being one in a series of efforts made by the people in 
that I'egion to establish a litcu-ary institution, not oidy 
of a higli order, but on Ciiristian ])rinci[jles, and under 
Christian inliuen(;e. Before and after its incorporation, 
the Presbytery of Oi'ange exercised a degree of super- 
vision over Liberty Hall, as they prpbaljly would have 
done over Queen's College, if it had gone into operation ; 
but precisely on what groujids and to what extent does 
not appear. For this purpose the Presljytery met, dur- 
ing its existence, much oftener in Charlotte and Sugar 
Creek than in any other part of their bounds ; they 
appointed committees to examine the students ; and 
they co-operated with the trustees in procuring the serv- 
ices of Dr. McWhoi-ter. They sometimes held part of 
their sessions in one of these places, and the remainder 
in the other. Thus, having met in Charlotte, October 
1, 1776, they adjourned in the evening to Sugar Creek, 
where they transacted the rest of their business ; and 
among other things they appointed Messrs. Caldwell and 
Rees to examine the school in Chai-lotte. . . .It ap- 

1. Footers' Sketches, ]». 5](5. 



50 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

pears to have been an object of their constant and anx- 
ious solicitude ; and their whole influence was exerted 
for its promotion ; nor was its failui'C owing to any neg- 
lect or want of 2;eal on their part ; but to the causes 
which were beyond their control." This quotation may 
seem rather too long in this connection. It, however, 
shows clearly how much interest the Church took in the 
enterprise and of what value they regarded such an in- 
stitution in their midst. It has also been quoted to 
show that the Presbytei'ians have always stood square 
by all their affairs, especially in theii- educational under- 
takings. 

REV. HENRY PATILLO's SCHOOLS. 

Rev. Henry Patillo is among the greatest of the earl}^ 
teachers in this State. He seems to have been teaching 
at the same time as Dr. Caldwell in Guilford and Dr. 
Alexander at Charlotte ; and perhaps began this work 
earlier than eitlier of the two. Dr. Caruthers states 
that he was teaching classical schools in Orange and 
Granville counties at the same time as Caldwell, but 
says that nothing is known of their location or success.^ 
According to Foote he went to reside with Rev. Samuel 
Davies in Hanover in 1751. There he pursued his studies 
under this learned divine ; and was supported partly b}^ 
the kindness of friends and partly by teaching a little 
school. 2 He was ordained in 1757. At a meeting of the 
Presbytery at Hico, October 2nd, 1765, a call came 
from Hawfields, Eno and "Little River, for his services> 
He accepted the call and moved among these churches ; 
and there or somewhere else in Orange and Granville 
counties spent about thirty-five years of his life.^ Dur- 

1. Life of Caldwell, p. :iO. 
^- Footes' Sketches, pp. 21a-216. 
Ibid, p. 217. 



sc;hools of north Carolina. 51 

ing this time he preached and taught. His influence 
seems to have been very strong and wholesome upon a 
large territory. He was a great student of books and 
men. He had received his classical and theological 
training under Davies ; and continued to spend a good 
deal of his time in clpse study during life. His scholar- 
ship was extensive and deep. The degree of Master of 
Arts was conferred on him caiim. honoris by Hampden- 
Sydney College, of Virginia, in 1787.^ During this year 
he published, through the press in Wilmington, a volume 
of sermons. He also prepared a Geography for Youth 
by way of Question and Answer. Foote says of this 
work, that it was doubtless superior to any printed work 
of the kind in those times. ^ On the same page he states 
that for twelve years he had a classical school in Gran- 
ville county ; and that a part of this time it was at a 
place occupied by Mr. M.J. Hunt a few years prior to 
1846, and part of the time at Williamsburgh.-^ 

A school by the name of Granville Hall was incor- 
porated in 1779. This was located in Granville county, 
exactly where the writer has not been able to find out. 
According to Martin's Collection of Private Acts, page 93, 
the following were made trustees : Governor Richard 
Caswell, Abner Nash, speaker of the senate, Thomas 
Benbury, speaker of the house of commons, John Perm, 
Rev. George Micklejohn, Rev. Henry Patillo, Thomas 
Person, Edmund Taylor, John Taylor, Memucan Hunt, 
Philemon Hawkins, Jr., Howell Lewis, Robert Lewis, 
Charles Rush Eaton, John Young, and Samuel Smith. 
They were given instructions to purchase five hundred 
acres of la.nd, and to erect suitable buildings.^ Mr. 
Patillo taught in this school for some time, but probably 



1. Foote's Sketches, p. •J22; Dr. Smith gives the date as 178 

2. Ibid, p. 222. 

3. Ibid, p. 222. 

A. Given also by Smith, p. 37. 



52 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

was not the first teacher. According to Foote, page 218, 
he did not move to Nutbrush and Grassy Creek, in Gran- 
ville, till 1780 ; and it is likely that he was not connected 
with the school in their bounds before he became the 
pastor. However, it is rather certain that he taught in 
this school a large part of the twelve years of his teach- 
ing in Granville county. Considering the prominence 
of many of the trustees, one would be led to believe 
that this was another famous institution. 

He lived among the Regulators, and many of their 
meetings were within his bounds ; Hillsboro was for some 
time the Capital of the State and the center of the meet- 
ings of the Regulators. 1 Still he, like Dr. David Caldwell, 
gave his life to educate them and to make them true and 
loyal citizens. He, nevertheless, took quite a good 
deal of interest in politics. In 1775 he was a delegate 
from Bute county (now Warren and Franklin) to the first 
Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20th, 
1775, in Hillsboro. He was selected by the convention 
to read prayers every morning, and Rev. Charles Edward 
Taylor every evening. Mr. Patillo was made chairman 
of the Congress in a committee of the whole, when the 
plan of the General Confederation of the United 
Colonies was considered.^ 

Clio's nursery and science hall. 

The founder of these schools was Rev. James Hall, 
D. D., one of the most conspicuous and useful characters 
in the early history of the State. He was great alike in 
his churches and schools ; and moulded and shaped the' 
minds and characters of many prominent men. His in- 
fluence was so great, that he deserves more than a mere 
passing notice. He was born in Pennsylvania, August 
22d, 1744, of Scotch-Irish parents. His family came 



1. Martin, Williamson, Wheeler, Caruthers and Moore. 

2. Foote's Sketches, pp. •217-218. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 53 

to North Carolina when he was but eight years of age.^ 
They settled in the upper part of Rowan county, which 
is now Iredell. His home was within the bounds of his 
congregation, which he served during his whole career 
of thirty-eight years. ^ In this secluded forest he grew 
up under the kind and pious care of his parents, and 
became imbued with the missionary spirit, and the desire 
to give his life to truth and Christ. He was twenty-six 
before he began a study of the classics. However, when 
only seventeen he became deeply interested in Geometry 
and other branches of mathematics, and this with the 
exact sciences were through life his favored subjects.^ 
He took his college education at Princeton, where he 
was graduated with A. B. degree in 1774, at the age of 
thirty-one. Dr. Witherspoon was then president, and 
he was so much pleased with young Hall that he offered 
him a position as teacher of mathematics. The offer was 
not taken. Mr. Hall had already determined to give his 
life to the benefit and advancement of his adopted 
Colony, North Carolina. He was licensed to preach by 
the Presbytery of Orange about 1776.^ On the 8th of 
April, 1778, he was installed as pastor of Fourth Creek, 
Concord and Bethany. These united congregations ex- 
tended from South Yadkin to the Catawba, and even 
beyond these rivers. He served these until 1790, when 
he was relieved of all except Bethany. With this he 
continued till his death, July 25th, 1826.^ 

His activity during the Revolution was very great. 
By nature and education he was strongly in favor of 
American Independence ; and he gave his mind and 
body to this cause. He met with his fellow-citizens in 



1. Foote's Sketches, pp. 315-31t). 

■2. Ibid. p. :il6. 

3. Ibid, p. 316. 

4. Ibid, pp. 322-328. 

5. Ibid, p. 324. 



54 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

political discussions ; he gave tliein his spirit and entlius- 
iasm, and increased their love of liberty many fold. He 
was indeed the military parson of North Carolina. 
When Cornwallis was plundering. and devastating South 
Carolina, he enthused his flock so deeply that a company 
of cavalry was at once organized. They by common 
consent demanded him for their leader. He, though 
strongly opposed to leading them in battle, still accepted 
the command. He gave great courage to his country- 
men, and served them well as leader and chaplain.^ 

When the war was over and his countr}' had won its 
freedom, he went back to his real work — preaching and 
teaching. He found everything in a deplorable condition ; 
morality and religious zeal had declined in his congrega- 
tion. He went to the work with such enthusiasm and 
consecration tliat his people soon became deeply interes- 
ted in religious and intellectual affairs.^ He was great 
as a preacher, and equally great as a teacher.^ It 
seems that he set on foot Clio's Nursery very early after 
he was installed as pastor. Foote says in this connection 
that Humphrey Hunter had a certificate, stating that 
he was a pupil of this school from August, 1778, to Octo- 
ber, 1779.^ The institution was located on Snow Creek, 
in the bounds of Bethany congregation. He superin- 
tended this with great care. In it many men, who 
afterwards became leaders in society, church and politics, 
were trained. Among these were: Rev. Richard King, 
of Tennessee, of the greatest ability of any man educated 
in the western part of the state during the early history^; 
Dr. Waddel, of South Carolina ; Judges Laurie, Harris 
and Smith. ^ 

At the same time he opened at his own home The 



1. Foote's Sketches, pp. 3'24-32.5. 

2. Ibid. p. 327. 

3. Ibid, p. 330. 

4. Ibid, p. 330. 

5. Ibid. p. 330. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 55 

Science Hall. Of this he was the sole teacher. He 
purchased several philosophical apparatus, and made 
this school the best in scientific advantages in the State. 
The institution was kept up for many years, and with 
great success and usefulness. Andrew Pickens, Israel 
Pickens, Governor of Alabama, Hon. Joseph Pearson, 
Judge Williams, of Tennessee, are a few of the many 
men wdio received their scientific training in this school.^ 
His influence in leading men into the ministry was very 
strong. He had such great talents and ability of in- 
structing others, such deep piety and soundness of theo- 
logy, that his home also became the meeting place of the 
prophets. From this home school or Science Hall came 
many prominent divines: Revs. Robert Hall, James *^' 
McEw^n and Daniel Thatcher ; Francis Cummins, D. D., 
and John Brown, D. D., of Georgia ; James Blythe, D. D., 
of Kentucky ; J. M. Wilson, D. D., of Rocky River; 
Revs. George McWliorter, James Adams, Thomas 
Price, James McDheney, Thomas Neely, Andrew Flinn, 
D. D., of South Carolina; John Robinson, D. D., of 
Poplar Tent; Rev. J. Andrews, of Ohio; Revs. John 
and James Bowman, and Thomas Hall, of Tennessee; 
Rev. Joseph D. Kilpatrick and William Barr, D. D. In 
addition to his work as a pastor and teacher in this 
school, he did much for the intellectual welfare of his 
congregation by establishing a circulating library among 
them, and by organizing and encouraging debating 
societies.^ He also had a class of young people in 
Grammar, which met every Saturday. For their use he 
wrote a system of grammar. At first manuscript copies 
were circulated among the class, but afterwards the book 
was published, and it seems that it had an extensive 
circulation.^ His work was deeply appreciated far and 



1. Foote'S Sketches, p. 330. 
■2. Ibid, p. 330. 
3. Ibid, p. 330. 






:>(; 



'I'll!', CIIIMMII AND IMIIVATK 



wide lie jilso nMM'ivcd iiiaiiy lionoi's during' Iiis loii^- 
liCc, ;iiii(»ii;; wliicli \\;is I lie dcni-cc ol" |) |). (Voiii his 
;iliii;i iiinlcr, N;iss;iii ll;dl,' iiiid Irdiii (lie 1 1 n i vcrsil y ol" 
Nni'lli < ';ir..rui;i in |S|0.-' 

/ION I'AltNASSl'S. 

This is ;ii I 111 her Ol II' of I he ;_!,r(';i I I 'r('sh\lrri;iii .'ic'idriiiics, 
which h.'id siiidi v;isl inlliiciicc on iniddlc ;iiid wcslcrn 
North ( ';i rolin.'i diiri 11!', I he <'i;j,h Icciil h criihirv. Il was 
or^ii.iiizcd l>y Ki'v. S;imni'l I']. McCorisIc, I). I) , alioiii 
ITHT).'' Ilr, like i)r. Mall, |)layrd a (rons|)iriioiis pari, 
and di'srrvrs iiiiirh al ihr hands of I he wrili-r of tho 
<'liiircli and cdiii-a-l iona I hislory of ihc Slalc. llo was 
horn in I jancaslcr con nl y , near llarris's l<\'n-y, I'cnnsyl- 
vania,, An^iisT "J."!!! , I7I<>. When only Ion years ofan'i* 
his parrnis came lo Norlh ('arolina and sellled in llie 
wcslein pail of iJowan c(;niily, wilhiii I he hounds of 
Thyalira coiiij,- renal ion. While very yoniii;' he was placed 
in an Mii^iish school and acipiired Uii()vvl(Mljj;e so iMpidly 
ihal soon after comiiii; lo ihis Slale he was employed in 
a. I're(^ school. Mis classical Irainint!, lor colleiM' was re- 
ceived under the miidaiice ol Mr. Ma\id ('aldw<'ll, in 
(luillord. l''roiii here he went- (o rrincelon, where he 
was ;i,radiiateil with the A. W. (I(\ji,'ree in I77'2.' Me re- 
ceived license lo preach from the I 'reshvlerv ol' New 
^drk in 17V I. A Iter I his he spent two years in \'iri;inia, 
hi'l'ore he he!;an his mi ii islerial life in North ('arolina. 
Me was ordained pastor of Thyatira connre^at ion hv the 
Mano\er Treshy tcry , Anj;nsl 'Jd , 1777. 'This was tlu\ 
scene of his L!, real en(M\i;ies I i II his deal h , ,1 nne 1* Isl , IS I I . ' ' 
Me strove hard to improve his charge in divine and 



I. Kdoli-'M SUclclu'S, p. iim.. 

'.'. (J ('111 Til I CiitMliiKlli' nf I'Mlvrislly "I' Nurlli Ciiiollmi. p. 'Jits. 

SI. k.m.i.''h siii-iciii's, p. ;ir,7. 

■I. n.ui. p. 111,1. 

i>. iM.i. p. :i.>i. 



SCHOOLS OF NOJITII CAROLINA. 57 

liumaii knowledge. He had greai native ability, and 
improved and increased this many fold by close study. 
He was a striking and leading character in a large 
section ; and his influence came as much from his school 
as from his ])ulpit. 

His school was on the roiid from Statesville to Salis- 
bury ; it was at his home, which was not more than nine 
miles from Salisbury. It was begun as a classical insti- 
tution, but he soon opened in connection with it a de- 
pai'tment for preparing teachers. This was a new feature ; 
and its results seem to have been good. He gave great 
assistance in the way of free tuition to poor yet worthy 
3'oung men ; also helped numbers to buy books. His 
discipline was of a higher order than was usual ; he 
cared to have no]>ody as students unless they had good 
talents and a strong desire to woi-k.^ Foote says that 
there were seven graduates in the first class at the Uni- 
versity of North Carolina, and that six of these had 
been pupils of this great teacher. ^ So great was his 
reputation for sound scholarship and strong influence in 
teaching young men that he was offered the first Profes- 
sorship in the University of the State. This was the Chair 
of Moral and Political Philosophy and History ; and it 
gave the occupant the power of a presiding office. He, 
however, did not accept the office and honor; he pre- 
ferred to spend his life as a pastor and instructor of the 
youth of his congregation.-' Foote says on page 358 of 
his Sketches : ''His students wers, in afterlife, found on 
the bench, in the Chair of State, and forty-five of them 
in the pulpit." Hon. A. Leazer says: "The school of 
Dr. Samuel E. McCorkle .... could have flourished 
only among a broad-minded, public-si:)irited people, de- 
voted to true learning. Hei-e the sturdy youth of tliat 

1. Foote's Sketclu'S, i). !iiJ7. 
•1. Ibid, p. :!.".«. 

;j. n)ici. p. a")H. 



58 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

day found thorough training in Theology, e]a])orate 
learning in the Ancient Classics, i)i'ofoun(l studies in 
Mathematics, a less extended course m the Natui-al 
Sciejices, and even then, one hundred years ago, this 
great pioneer and philosopher taught the art of teaching, 
but didn't call it pedagogics. Di'. McCorkle's school was 
called Zion-Parnassus, indicating his idea of learning — 
the combination of religion and polite literature." ^ It 
seems that he kept up this school till his death. After 
that it went down for a while, and was afterwards re- 
opened in Salisbury. Dr. Smith thinks this has been 
continued with a few intermissions to the present, as the 
Salisbury High School. ^ 

SOME OTHER PRESIl YTERI AN SCHOOLS. 

Thei-e were several other schools run by Presbyterians 
than those ali'eady mentioned. However, in most cases 
very little can be found out about them. Foote says on 
page 179 of his Sketches that Rev. William Bingham 
came from Ireland to Wilmington, and began a classical 
school there about 1785 ; and in his teaching he was very 
successful. From here he removed to Pittsboro, Chat- 
ham county, and established the real Bingham School, 
which has been so famous in the cause of secoiuhu-y ed- 
ucation. The date of his leaving Wilmington was about 
1793.^ He also preached in Wilmington and the sur- 
rounding country.'* He, continued at Pittsboro till 
1801, when he became Professor of Latin and Greek in 
the University of the State. He resigned this place in 
1805 and re-opened his school in Orange county.^' The 



1. Semi ('ciitonary Addresses. 1HK7, p. 7. 

2. History of Kducation in Nortli (Jaroliiia, i). 31). 
ii. Wlieeler's Reininiscences, p. iiiifi. 

4. Foote's Sketches, p. 179. 

ft. General Catalogueot I'liiversity of Nditli Caidliiia. p. 79. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 59 

further history belongs to the nineteenth century and 
will be considered later. 

Rev. Robert Archibald, a graduate of Princeton in the 
class of 1772, became pastor of Rocky River and Poplar 
Tent churches about 1778.^ Soon after being installed 
as preacher, he began a classical school at Poplar Tent, 
Cabarrus county. It seems that he continued at this 
work for some time, and that he had great influence in 
his community. 2 Rev. James Wallis was pastor of New 
Providence from 1792 till 1819. He established an 
academy at Providence about 1792 ; and kept a classical 
school in it for many years. He was not so poor that 
he had to teach for a living, but taught for the sake of 
his countrymen, and especially of his congregation. His 
success was great. He was for some years a member of 
the trustees of the Univei'sity of the State, and had 
great influence generally.-^ This, as well as the school 
at Poplar Tent, was kept up for a long time during the 
nineteenth century. 

Rev. David Kerr, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, 
came from Ireland to become the first regular pastor of 
the church in Fayetteville. He was among the best 
preachers in the Presbytery of Orange and one of the 
finest scholars of his times. He began his regular preach- 
ing in the Courthouse in 1791. He taught school at the 
same time. The trustees paid him a salary of four 
hundred dollars for teaching and the same amount for 
preaching.'^ He was Professor of Latin and Greek in 
the State University 1794-1796. ^ Dr. Smith'' and others 
think that Fayetteville has had an academy during most 



1. Foote's Sketches, p. 482. 

2. Ibid, p. 482. 

3. Ibid. pp. 247-250. 

4. Ibid, p. 490. 

5. General Catalogue of University of North Carolina, p. 79. 

6. History of Education, p. 39. 



()0 TIIK (JHUKCH AND PJIIVATK 

of its hisfory since tlic one oi-ganizcd ])y Mi". Kvvv. 

LUTHEJIAN AND (JEKMAN SCIKX >J.S. 

These people, as lias alfeady been said, did not take 
a very live interest in intellectnal pursnits and attain- 
ments. They belonged to the agricultural stage. In 
consequence of their lack of schools and teachers- they 
did not grow rapidly, nor have they evei- had a very 
strong influence over the State as a whole. However, 
they have been a pure and noble people ; and have formed 
a good element of our (common citizenshij) — the middle 
classes. Most of the scdiools that they did have were i-un 
l)y the churches. They had few i)reachers as well as teach- 
ers. Rev. G. D. Bernheim ,on page 154 of his History of the 
German Settlements and Lutheran Church in North and 
South Cai'olina-, says : "Inasmuch as these settlers located 
tlximselves so gradually, besides being divided into two 
denominations, it was some time before they were suf- 
ficiently numerous to have a pastor located and perma- 
nently settled among them ; sermons and prayers were 
usually read on Sunday by their German school teacher, 
and whenever they were permitted to enjoy the regular 
administration of the preached word and saci-aments, 
which was seldom, it was atfoi'ded them by some self- 
appointed missionary, whilst their school-teacher usually 
buried their dead with an appropriate ceremony from the 
liturgy, and, in case of urgent necessity, baptized their 
children." They have been very slow to make changes ; 
their progress has been very conservative. However" 
they have avoided many of the vices and immoralities 
into which others have gotten so deeply. They had paro- 
chial schools whenever a teacher could be obtained. In 
these schools the catechism and other departments of 
rudimentary knowledge were taught. The Bible was, as 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAllOLINA. Ql 

a rule, the text-book in reading. ^ 'I^hey had most of 
their religious services in the German language, and 
this was for some time the only language taught in tlieir 
schools. They at first strongiy opposed the introduction 
of the English language ; and this custom made them 
more exclusive and retarded their growth in the way of 
churches and schools.^ 

Their settlements in middle North Carolina were made 
in the main by emigrants from Pennsylvania, who came 
from 1750 to 1770. ^ Perhaps the first church oi'ganized 
in this State by the Germans and Lutherans was at 
Salisbui'y. The movement was begun in 1768,'* and by 
1772^ they were wanting a preacher and a teacher. Their 
church known by the name of Hickory Church was the 
first of any denomination in Salisbury. When the con- 
gregation, at first composed of both Germans and Luther- 
ans, was organized there was no preacher to lead them 
in the ways of Christ ; and in order to supply this want 
they were compelled to send to Europe. During the time 
of the organization of this church in Salisbury, there were 
a few other congregations in Rowan and in that part of 
Mecklenburg, which is now Cabarrus county. In 1772 
Christopher Rintelmann, of Organ Church in Rowan 
county, and Christopher Layrle, of St. John's Church 
in Mecklenburg, were sent to Europe for the purpose of 
securing ministers and teachers. They applied to the 
Consistory Council of Hanover, Germany." They 
brought back with them Rev. Adolph Nussman as pas- 
tor and Mr. Gottfried Arndt as teacher. They arrived in 
North Carolina in 1773.'' 

1. Bernheim, p. 187. 

2. Ibid, p. 188. 

3. Ibid, p. 253. 

4. Ibid, p. 241. 

5. Ibid, p. 2."(i. 
<;. Ibid.p. 'JoO. 
7. Ibid,p. 2f)-. 



62 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Mr. Nussman at once became the pastor of Hickory 
Church in Salisbury. He remained here but a year; 
then ]-emoved to Dutch Creek Church, now known As 
St. John's Lutheran Church, in Cabarrus county.^ Dur- 
ing his pastorate some dissension arose between the two 
denominations. The Lutlierans withdrew and built 
Organ Church ; and the German Reformed organized 
Grace Church. ^ After Mr. Nussman left Salisbury tlie 
newly organized congregation known as Organ Church 
asked Mr. Arndt, who had been their teacher for a year, 
to become their pastor. He was sent to be ordained to 
the office of the ministry in 1773. He served them in 
the capacity of preacher and pastor till 1786, when 
he went to Lincoln county, along the Catawba river. 
He was the real founder of the Lutheran Church on the 
western side of the Catawba, and was one of the strong- 
est forces in his whole church. When at Salisbury he 
had influenced all the territory of Davie, Iredell and 
Davidson counties. ^ The writer has not been able to 
find out for certain whether Mr. Arndt continued to teach 
after his ordination in 1775 or not, though he rather 
thinks he did. 

There is some record of other school-teachers among 
these denominations in other counties, though very little 
except the names in a few cases has been found out. 
The first church edifice of the Dutch Buffalo congrega- 
tion (aftewards St. John's Lutheran Church) in Meck- 
lenburg was used for the double purpose of sanctuary 
and school-house.'^ Whether Mr. Nussman was also 
the teacher at any time during his pastorate cannot be 
found out. At any rate, he was not during the first part. 
According to the record of this Church Mr. Friesland 

1. Beniheim, p. 24'2. 

2. Ibid, p. 245. 

3. Ibid, p. 246. 

4. Ibid, p. 261. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 63 

became their teacher almost at the same time that Mr. 
Nussmaii was ordained pastor. ^ In accordance with the 
Constitution adopted by this Church about 1780, the 
pastor and teacher were to be supported by the members ; 
and the members had to bind themselves to a definite 
amount of salary before the services of either minister or 
teacher could be secured. Bernheim, in referring to 
this, says, on page 252 of his history: ''A portion of 
the school-teacher's salary consisted in the use of a cer- 
tain amount of good land, which the members were to 
cultivate for him, and also ro gather the grain, hay, &c., 
into his barn, when the proper time ariived." Mr. 
Nussman, while pastor of St. John's Lutheran, made 
many journeys into Davidson, Guilford, Orange, Stokes 
and Forsyth counties ;2 and as a result a good many 
churches were established within this large territory. 
It is also very probable that schools were begun in 
several of these communities. According to Caruthers, 
a Rev. Mr. Beuthahn, of the German Reformed Church, 
organized some congregations in Guilford and Orange. 
He also taught a German school in the southeastern part 
of Guilford. This was his principal means of support.^ 
As to how long lie taught here there is no record. He 
began teaching about the time that Mr. Nussman made 
his missionary journeys. 

EARLY METHODISM AND COKESBURY SCHOOL. 

The people called Methodists were few in North Caro- 
lina until after the Revolution. In 1773 no regularly 
organized church was in existence in America. At this 
time there were only one thousand, one hundred and 
sixty members of the society, and ten preachers. None 

1. Bernheim, p. 259. 

2. Ibid, p. 2150. 

3. Ibid, p, 262. 



64 THE CHLRCH .\ND PRIVATE 

of these were from North Carolina.^ However, by 1785 
t'liere were eighteen thousand members, of which number 
about four thousand were from this State ; and to supply 
this whole flock there were one hundred and four minis- 
ters. ^ It is claimed that the work was divided into fifty- 
two circuits, of which twelve were in North Carolina.* 
In the minutes for 1793 fifty-one thousand, four hun- 
dred and sixteen whites, and sixteen thousand, two hun- 
dred and twenty-seven negroes, were I'eported ; and to 
lead this flock there were two hundred and sixty-nine 
preachers.-^ In this rapid growth North Carolina had 
its share. 

The first Metliodist pi-eacher to reach this State was 
Rev. Joseph Pilmoor. He made a preaching tour from 
Norfolk, Virginia, through eastern North and South 
Carolina, as far south as Savannah, Georgia; and this 
journey was made during the year 1772. He, however, 
did not organize a society here ; Rev. Robert Williams 
has the honor of organizing the first society within the 
bounds of our State. ^ His regular field of work was in 
Virginia, but he came across the boundary line occasion- 
ally, and preached and organized societies along the 
Roanoke river.'' The first circuit in this State was not 
formed until three years later. At the Baltimore Con- 
ference, May 21st, 1776, the North Carolina Circuit was 
set apart; and Revs. Edward Drumgoole, Francis Poyth- 
ress and Isham Tatum were ordained as preachers of 
the charge.^ At the same time six hundred and eighty- 
three members were reported from this circuit.^ In the 

1. Minutes of the General Conferences, Vol. I., p. 5. 

2. Ibid, Vol. I., p. -24. 

3. Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, pp. 58-f)9. 

4. Minutes of the General Conferences, Vol. I., pp. 5l-,=)'J. 

5. Moore's Pioneers of Methodism in North Carolina and Virginia, p. 44 ; R. H. 
Willis-Thesis at Trinity College, June, ISitS. 

tj. Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, p. 48. 

7. Ibid. p. IX,; Minutes of the General Conferences, Vol. I., p. 7. 

8. Minutes of the General Conferences, Vol. I., p. 7. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 65 

minutes for the same year Pittsylvania Circuit, with one 
hundred members, is found. This circuit was partly in 
Virginia and partly in North Carolina. It was by Rev, 
Isaac Rollins, preacher of this charge, that Methodism 
was first preached in the western part of this State. ^ 
From 1776 to 1781 the Yadkin section was included in 
Pittsylvania Circuit.- In 1781 Yadkin is reported with 
twenty-one members ;^ and in 1782 Yadkin and Pittsyl- 
vania were reported together with four hundred and 
ninety-one members."^ At this same conference three 
preachers were reported from Yadkin : Revs. John 
Cooper, Enoch Matson and George Kimble. ^ It may 
seem that more has been spoken of Yadkin than its im- 
portance deserves. However, it has been given to show 
under what conditions Cokesbury school had its begin- 
ning and history. 

Bishop Asbury, the great organizer of the church, 
came to North Carolina during the year 1780. He 
travelled and preached through Halifax, Warren, Frank- 
lin. Wake, Granville, Chatham, Orange and Cumber- 
land counties.^ He says that he found the people for 
the most part ignoi'ant and hard to influence by his 
preaching. However, he saw some evidences of real 
true life among a few of them.' When he made another 
journey in 1794, he found a good man}' changes ; there 
had been considerable growth in the number and strength 
of the preachers and members. This time he visited 
the western part of the State. In his Journal (1852), 
Vol. II., on page 224, is found, under the date Wednes- 
day, April 2d, 1794, this entry : "Came to E.'s meeting- 



1. Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, p. 54. 

2. Ibid. 

3. Minutes of tlie General Conferences, Vol. I., p. 13. 

4. Ibid, p. 16. 

5. Ibid, p. 15. 

6. Moore's Pioneers of Methodism in North Carolina and Virginia, p. 24-26. 

7. AsV)ury's Journal (1852), Vol. I., p. 376. 



06 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

liouse, near Hunting Creek, in Surry county: here I 
met with some old disciples from Maryland, Delaware, 
and Virginia, who have known me for these twenty-two 
years. Our meeting was attended with mutual pleasure ; 
my soul enjo^^ed much sweetness with these people. 
There has been some trouble amongst them, but I know 
God is with them. I was secretly led to treat on sancti- 
fication at W.'s; and if the Lord will help me, I am 
resolved to speak more on this blessed doctrine. After 
preaching, I came to Cokesbury school, at Hardy Jones ; 
it is twenty feet square, two stories high, well set out 
with doors and windows ; this house is not too large, as 
some others are ; it stands on a beautiful eminence, and 
overlooks the lowlands, and river Yadkin." 

Cokesbury school in North Carolina was named after 
Cokesbury College at Abingdon, Maryland. Maryland 
was thf^ real ci-adle of Methodism in America : and the 
first Methodist college in the world was Cokesbury. 
This was begun in 1784, and continued till 1796 with 
one short interruption. The name was made in honor 
of the first two bishops — Coke and Asbury.^ v This little 
school in North Carolina was begun about 1793. It is 
the oldest Methodist institution in the State, and the 
second oldest in the world. According to Asbury, who 
made another visit to this section in 1799, the school 
was of a short life. On page 427 of his Journal (1852) , 
Vol. II., under the date of October 12th, 1799, he says 
that the academical school-house was used for a house 
of God. The first teacher — pei'haps only one — was Rev. 
James Parks. It seems that he was appointed by the 
Conference to work here as early as 1793. In the min- 
utes of 1794 he is assigned to Cokesbury School. ^ He 
married the daughter of Hardy Jones ; and as was the 



1. Stciner's History of Education in Maryland, pp. S'JB-'J-JS. 
'J. Minutes of the General Conferehces,p. 50. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 67 

custom of that time when ministers married located 
there. Mr. Parks seems to have been a good preacher. ^ 
What success came to him in the school-room the writer 
can not say ; nor has he any idea of what the course of 
studies was. Rev. W. L. Grissora, who had pastoral 
work on the Mocksville Circuit, in this section, 1889 and 
1890, and who took the time to look up the history and 
exact location of this school, tells the writer that Rev. 
M. H. Moore once had in his possession a Greek Gram- 
mar wdth writing on the fly leaf as follows : "Cokesbury 
School, Rowan county. North Carolina." To this was 
added a name and date. From this and a few other evi- 
dences, one might judge that it was a classical school 
in which Greek, Latin and Mathematics were taught. 
The school was located in w^iat was then a part of 
Rowan county, but now Davie ; Davie was not formed 
until 1836.2 Asbury says, as has been quoted, that it 
was at the home of Hardy Jones. Mr. Grissom has 
looked up the old home-placa of Hardy Jones, and says 
that there is within a hundred yards an eminence, from 
which can be had a fine view of the Yadkin river and 
its lowlands. His description corresponds exactly with 
Asbury's ; and he obtained from the oldest citizens of 
that section direct testimony as to where Hardy Jones 
lived. The place now belongs to the family of Mr. W. 
A. Bailey. 3 

SOME INCORPORATED SCHOOLS. 

Very little more than the names, location and date of 
incorporation of these is known. The writer has en- 
deavored to make the list fairly complete: Smith's 
Academy, Edenton, Chowan county, 1782; Morgan 
Academy, Burke county, 1783; Davidson Academy, 

1. Grissom's History of Methodism in Davie Corunty, p. 12. 

2. Wheeler's Historical Sketelies, Vol. II., p. 137. 

3. Grissom's History of Methodism in Davie County, pp. 11-12. 



(IS 'I'lll': ('lll'HCIl AND I'IIIVATI<: 

I);ivi<ls()ii couiily, ITS;"); Kinsloii Acudciiiy, I)(jI)1)S 
county, 17iSr); (Icovfi Academy, Duplin county, 1785; 
Wan-cnton Acadcjuy, Wnrron coynty, 17sr); l^'ranklin 
AcacUsniy, Franklin county , 178() ; Titt Academy, Mar- 
ti id)orouf;h, I*itt county, 17H(); Pittshoi'ou^li Academy, 
(Mintlinni (-ouiity, I7S(;; Kichmoiid y\(t;i(lcniy , Iii(;liinoiid 
county, 17.S8; ('urrituck Seminary, Cui-i'ituck county, 
178!>; ( )nslow Academy, Onslow county, 17')1; Lund)er 
ton Acad(!niy, Kobe.son county, \7\)\ ; Stokes Seminai'y, 
Wad(!sl)orou!j,li , Anscui county, 17*.H; Tarhoi'Dugli Aca- 
elemy, IOdg(K;oird)(! county, 171);> ; Murrreeshorouj^ii 
A(;ademy, Ilertfoi-d county, 1794; StokciS Semin;i,ry, 
Henderson, Moutg()jn(M-y county, I7*.>7; Haft Swamp 
Seminary, iiobeson (!ounty, 17*>7; Hladen Academy, 
Klizal)(;tli , l)lad(m county, I7*.*7; Salisbury Scuninary, 
Ilowan county, 17t)8; Smitlivill*! y\cademy, Ui-unswick 
c()unl-y, I7*.)8; [Inity Meetin«;- Mouse Ai^ademy, Ran- 
dolj)li county, 17'.)8; Adams ('rec'k Academy, (li'av(m 
county, 171)8; Fayettevilh; Seminary, Cumberland 
county, I7U1); WiHiain Peash^y Academy, iVloor(M',ounly , 
17in). ' 

I*'rom tli(! nund>er of academies in ojMU'aJion durin<2; 
the latt(^r part ot tlu! ei<>'bteentli century, one would 
judge tliat l\\cyo, was a more genei-aJ a.wa,kening on edu- 
cational matters than had ever taken place in the Stale. 
As was stated in the early ])art of this sketch , l)y the 
close of (he (tentury North dai'olina had about four hun- 
dred thousand inhabitants. Though the tyranny of the 
royal rule and the War of the devolution had hindered 
growth at all tinuis, still this State had, ui)on the whole, 
made stea,dy ])rogri'ss IVoui 17r)() to 1800. ^fhe Univer- 
sity began its (-ai'eer in 17'.*r); and aJong with this were 

1. Miii'Un'H Colloctlon of I'rlvatc Actw (IHOl), Vol. 1., p. lOS for 1785, pj). .l-JH-)2(t for 
17H(i, p. 455 fop 178H; Vol. H., p. \'2 for ]7t»l, j). 51 for 179;i. p. HO for 171M. p. 102 for 171>C., 
p. 112 for 17(17.11. l!ll lor I71i.s, \>. 117 lor 17'.iSt. A larKi' miml)crof tlicso arr glvi-n liy 
Dr. Siiillh. 



;i iiiiiiilx'-r of (;,\'r,(!ll('ril iiriKlfiiiics, I, Ik; miosI of which 
have boon (l('s(;rih(3(J or naincsd, lo fi^ht ij^iiofjuicc;. Rov. 
W. Wiiit(!rho( h;i,tri , wlio pul)liHh('(l ji Coin" voliiitX! wor-k 
on "A View ol' tho United Stutos of Ani(!fi(^;i" in 1790, 
says: "Thcjro is a vei'y ^ood a<;;ul('iny at, W;irr(!nt,on ; 
anotl)(;i' at Wi]li;iinsl)oroii^h , in (h-anviih^, and tJircc; or 
four othcTH in tho State of (•onsid(iraf)lo not(!." ' ITo 
math; 1,1 lis statement, in eonncct ion with a dcscripl.ion of 
the Univfii'sity. 

Foote, in sjjeakin^' of tlie (;onditions under which 
President Josepli Caldwell, ol' the University, ha.d lo 
struggle, when lie })egan liis work with that infant insti- 
tution in 1790, says: '""{""iKM-e were in operation in the 
State, particularly in tin; upper part of it, sorrn; acad- 
emies of high merit, a,nd eHt,al)!ished r(;piit,a,l ion. The 
embryo Univei-sity, without apparatus and without a 
competent num})er of teachers to perform the labors of 
the University, could, after all the pa,tronage of the 
Stale, offer little tixlra.w students from these established, 

well known schools, to come to ('hai)el llill 

There was the school of David ('aldw(;ll, in (inilh^-d, in 
active operation, sending out its pupils to be divines, 
l)hysiciaris and la,wy(!rs, and ultimately professors in 
institutions and judges of the (courts; the public were 
not sure that Joseph Caldw(;ll couhl (upial , much less 
ex(;ell him. Anrl there was the ac,ademy of Dr. Mc("or-kl(!, 
one of the lioard of Trustfies, a, man of lit(!)*ature and 
reading, kept in the bounds of Thyatira congregation, 
near to Salisbury. And a little (urth(u- on was the 
school of Rev, Mr. Wallis, at I'rovidencf;, tw^ilve miles 
from Charlotte, a man of logical mind, conne(;t(;d with 
a vehement spirit, afterwards a member of the lioard of 
Trustees, And next the scliof)l in l>(;thany, Ired(;ll 
county, under the dir(,'Ction of tin; well known servant 

I. W iiitcrholljain'K A View oC Ihf riiltcd HIuKh <if A jijcrlcii, Vol. III., j). 2H. 



70 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

of God, the Rev. Capt. James Hall, D. D., the soldier of 
the Revolution, and the leading domestic missionary of 
the South. Next, the school at Rocky river, from which 

many excellent men came To these add the 

public schools of Charlotte, Mecklenburg, which occu- 
pied the place of Liberty Hall and Queen's Museum ; 
the academy in Duplin, which has been more or less 
flourishing; Science Hall, near Hillsborough; Warren- 
ton Academy, under Mr. George, who, with Bingham 
and Kerr, were graduates of Trinity College, Dublin ; 
Granville Hall, and the academies in Edenton, New- 
bern and Onslow. "^ 

However, there was a great amount of ignorance still. 
It has been estimated that from 1750 to 1775 hardly one- 
third of the inhabitants of the State could even read ; 
and that many of this number who could read could not 
write their own names with legibility. From 1775 to 
1800 about one-half of the people obtained what was then 
called a fair English education — "to read, write and 
cipher as far as the rule of three." ^ There had been a good 
many fine academies, but these could not reach very 
many ; and these had as a rule educated members of the 
churches under whose influence they existed. Those who 
did not belong to these churches were left out of the 
consideration of educational aff'airs. Of necessity the 
Church had too much to do for her own members to 
spend any time with those outside her bounds. Those 
were days of teaching among their own flocks, not a 
time of missionary activity among the unbelievers about 
them. On the other hand, those who did not belong to 
the churches, for the most part, cared little for the cul- 
ture and advantages of an education. These academies, 

1. Foote's Sketches, p. .513. 

2. University Magazine, Nov. ISOO. p, 222— Tlie County of Caswell in 1810 by Bart- 
lett Yancy, first published in Raleigh Star, August, 1810. This is also given by Dr. 
Smith. ' 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 71 

individual and separated as they were, made education 
exclusive and confined to the few. There was conse- 
quently a great need for a school to unify these and to 
reach the class outside of the church, hence the found- 
ing of the University. However, upon the whole North 
Carolina had done a great deal during the eighteenth 
century, li had begun at the beginning of the century 
with almost nothing but a wild soil ; it had very few in- 
habitants then, but at the end almost a half million; 
institutions, both political and educational, were born 
and partly matured. It gave over to the nineteenth 
century a good heritage for those times and in such a 
new country. Most of the causes that have shaped our 
social, political, religious and intellectual forms to the 
present time, originated in the century that has preceded 
ours. Many North Carolinians were ignorant, unap- 
preciative and slow then; and many are still, at the 
close of the nineteen century, in the same condition. 



72 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 



Chapter II. — Schools from 1800 to 1835. 



SEVERAL ACADEMIES. 

With the birtli of the University the famous classical 
schools of North Carolina began their decline. However, 
many of these were kept up for many years during the 
first part of this century ; and some still exist, though 
they have had for the most part a few interruptions. 
Among those already treated that had part of their life 
in this period are : Gi-anville Hall, which began the last 
year of tlie eighteenth century ; Caldwell's School in 
Guilford, kept up till old age told too heavily upon him, 
perhaps for more than fifteen years after this century 
came in ; Clio's Nursery and Science Hall, run till about 
1835, when it gave place to Davidson College; Zion- 
Parnassus v/as in operation by Dr. McCoi-kle till 1811, 
and with a few intermissions it has been kept up till the 
present in the Salisbury High School ; the academies of 
Newbern and Edenton, which still exist; Liberty Hall, 
run as an academy for many years after the War of the 
Revolution by Dr. Henderson; Bingjiam School, the 
oldest and most famous high school in the State ; and a 
good many of those mei-ely named under some incorpo- 
rated school. 

Rev. James Wallis has only been mentioned ; and de- 
serves a further considei-ation. His school in New 
Providence congregation was noted for many years, and 
it belongs almost altogether to this period. He was bom 
in Sugar Creek in 1762 ; was educated at Liberty Hall 
and at Mount Zion College at Winnsborough, South 
Carolina. In 1792 he was ordained pastor of the New 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 73 

Providence charge/ and remained here till his death in 
1819.2 Hq lived about twelve miles south of Charlotte 
on one of the roads leading to Camden, ^ and here he 
taught his school. According to Foote he was very suc- 
cessful in his teaching as well as in his ministry ; he was 
a trustee of the University for some time. He did not 
need to teach for a living, but from the duty he owed ' 
his charge and his fellow-men. He seems to have kept 
up this school almost till his death , and it was run for 
several years afterwards by different teachers.^ 

Rev. John Robinson had another noted school about 
the same time as Mr. Wallis. He was born in 1768, 
near Charlotte ;5 was educated by Mr. Archibald of 
Poplar Tent, and took his A. B. degree from Mount 
Zion College.^ His influence was great in religious and 
intellectual growth. Foote says on page 446 of his 
Sketches that the University conferred the D. D. degree 
upon him. The writer finds that A. M. was conferred in 
1810, when the same degree was granted to Revs. James 
Wallis and John McKamie Wilson ; also that D. D. was 
conferred upon Revs. John Robertson (the same as John 
Robinson) and John McKamie Wilson in 1829.'' He 
was ordained in 1793, and was assigned the field first 
occupied by Rev. Hugh McAden. In 1800 he moved to 
Fayetteville and became the I'esident minister of that 
church. The salary was so small and the youth so igno- 
rant that he opened a classical school. He found the 
duties of both preacher and teacher too heavy, and in 
1801 went to Poplar Tent, not far from Charlotte. He 
was with this church for about four years, and was their 

1. Foote's Sketches, p. 247. 

2. Ibid, p. 250. 

3. Ibid, pp. 244. 

4. Ibid, p. 2-50. 

5. Ibid, p, 445. 
<). Ibid, p. 440. 

7. General Catalogue of University of North Carolina, p. 238. 



74 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

/D.'-'C) teacher also. In -3-ft96^, he went back to Fayetteville 
again to teach and preach for three more years ; and 
again in -IMS came back to Poplar Tent to spend the 
remaining part of his life, which ended in 1843. ^ He 
was very snccessful as a teacher in botli places, especial- 
ly at Poplar Tent. It is stated by Foote that many 
leading men were educated under liim there. His force, 
precision and kindness made a deep mark. In addition 
to his own school, he made every effort to promote sacred 
learning. He took a very active part in the building 
and organizing of Davidson College, and was chosen 
one of the Board of Trustees for several years. ^ 

Rev. John McKamie Wilson (also written-MftIt:ei»te) 
was another great educational power, especially among 
the Presbyterians, during the first quarter of this century. 
He was born six miles from Charlotte, within the bounds 
of Sugar Creek congregation, 1769 ;^ educated at Liberty 
Hall and at Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia. He 
was given his first w^ork in Burke county, where he re- 
mained from 1795 to 1801. At this time he came to 
Rocky River, where lie spent his life.^ In 1812 he 
opened an academy about four miles fi'om his home. He 
taught in this till 1824. His school was very prosperous. 
A large number of his pupils entered public life. It is 
stated by Foote that twenty. five became preachers : Revs. 
James Morrison, N. R. Morgan, Thomas Alexander, 
John Silliman, John M. Erwin, Robert King, James B. 
Stafford, R. H. Morrison, Elam J. Morrison, Hugh 
Wilson, Samuel L. Watson, Thomas Davis, Cyrus John- 
ston, Henry N. Pharr, J. LeRoy Davies, William B. 
Davies, C. LeRoy Boyd, James Stafford, Alexander 



1. Foote's Sketches, p. 447. 

2. Ibid, p. 450. 
S. Ibid, p. 470. 

4. Ibid, pp. 478-479. 

[to be continued.] 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 75 

E. Wilson, James E. Morrison, Robert Hall, John M. 
Wilson, Dion C. Pharr, William N. Morrison, A. R. 
Pharr.i 

The Caswell Academy, near the court-house of the 
county by the same name, was opened for students in 
1803. The first teachers were Rev. Hugh Shaw and Mr. 
Bartlett Yancy. During the two years which they 
taught there were about sixty pupils. From 1805 
to 1808 it did not succeed very well. In 1808 Mr. John 
W. Caldwell, the son of Dr. David Caldwell, of Guilford, 
took charge, and for some time it was prosperous under 
his guidance. Hico Academy was another school in 
Caswell county, and was in operation about the same 
time. It was located near the Red House, and was run 
for two or three years by Mr. Shaw, who was one of the 
first teachers in the Caswell Academy. ^ 

During this time many schools were in operation 
throughout the State. Many of the counties, like Cas- 
well just mentioned, had one or more. But for the most 
part these schools did not become especially noted, ex- 
cept in their own localities. Those of more than mere 
local importance have already been considered, except 
Bingham among male academies and Salem Female 
Academy among the higher institutions for girls. These 
have played a unique and interesting part in our educa- 
tional history. Next to the University of the State they 
have had the longest careers ; and really Bingham be- 
gan about two years before the State institution was 
opened. In their different spheres they both have had 
great influence upon the intellectual and moral growth 
of the whole of North Carolina and of much of the 
South. 



1. Foote's Sketches, p. 485. 

■2. University Magazine, Nov. 1860. p. 222— paper by Bartlett Yancy, first pub- 
lished in the Raleigh Star, August, 1810. 



76 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

BINGHAM SCHOOL. 

A few Statements were made about the early liistory 
of this school under the eighteenth century institutions. 
As has been stated, the first principal was Rev. William 
Bingham. He was a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian ; and 
was a man of fine ability and culture, having graduated 
at Glasgow University with high honors.^ His family 
became involved in the efil'orts for Irish independence ; 
and his uncle with several more of his relatives were ex- 
ecuted by the British soldiers. He in company with a 
/p-^fc^/j brother came to America in 1788. Though he at first 
'■landed at New Castle, Delaware, he soon came to Wil- 
mington, North Carolina.^ His work as a teacher in 
Wilmington, Pittsboro and the University, has already 
been mentioned. About 1806 he began his school at 
Hillsboro, in Orange county. In a very short while it 
was removed to Mt. Repose, about five miles from 
Mebaneville. H3re for almost twenty years he instruct- 
ed the youth as few others have instructed them.^ Long 
before his death he had won a great name for himself as 
a scholar and teacher and for his school as a place where 
true manhood was developed and cultured. 

Upon his death in 1825, his oldest son, William James 
Bingham, became principal. He was the second and 
greatest of all the principals. He took his A. B. degree 
at the University of North Carolina in 1825, and won 
the first honors.^ At the time of the death of his father, 
he was studying law under Judge Murphy. He at once 
took charge of the school. Though he at first did not 
intend to run it long, still was at its head till 1863. He 
was born in 1802 and died in 1866. His services to this 



1. North Carolina Presbyterian, Dec. 24, lSSt5, data furnished by his descendants. 

2. Facts furnislied by Maj. Robert Bingham ; Our Living and Our Dead, Vol. IL, 
pp., 371-372. 

3.' Catalogue, 1874; Our Living and Our Dead, Vol. II., p. 372. 
4. General Catalogue of tlie University of North Carolina, p. 95. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 77 

State and the whole South were many and great. In 
1827 he moved the school from Mt. Repose to Hillsboro ; 
and in 1844 from Hillsboro to Oaks, Orange county, 
about ten miles from the North Carolina Railroad. He 
lived in a time that gave remarkable opportunities in 
his line ; and he added remarkable ability. When he 
began teaching was rather in disrepute, but he raised it 
to a high and honorable calling. He increased tuition 
fees from twenty to one hundred and fifty dollars per 
year.i He limited his number to thirty students; and 
one or two years his school had such a reputation all 
over the whole country, that he had to refuse admission 
to three hundred applicants each year. 

Walter P. Williamson, Editor of The Tarboro South- 
erner, on page 372 of Vol. II. of Our Living and Our 
Dead, says: "His success was pre-eminent; and his 
reputation, though less brilliant than that of some of 
his cotemporaries, was more extensive than that of any 
one of the men of his day, and while he was a stern and 
rigid disciplinarian, I may say truly, though upon the 
testimony" of others, that his pupils loved him like a 
father, and trusted him as a tender and sympathetic 
friend. ' I venture to say he was the means of putting 
more teachers uj)on the rostrum, more professional men 
into the various professions, more preachers in the pul- 
pit and more missionaries into the field than any ten 
other men in the State," 

In 1857 his two sons, William and Robert, came in 
with him. They had just graduated from the University 
of the State with fine distinction. ^ They increased the 
facilities to a large extent ; and under them the number 
of students was limited to sixty. Their method of in- 
struction was of the very highest grade. The father still 



1. Our Living and Our Dead, Vol. II., p. 372, 

2. North Carolina Presbyterian, Dec. 24, 1896. 



78 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

had all the beginning classes ; and the sons did the 
upper and advanced work. They worked with boys 
upon the principle that the best teaching and training 
is needed for the youngest. ^ Their system of examina- 
tion was very rigid ; and by this means all of the un- 
worthy were thrown out and those of better talent and 
industry took their places. It was the custom before the 
war to give written examinations, which required in 
several cases about ten hours to answer. Those were 
days when this school stood unequalled in the State and 
the whole South. For a good many years two-thirds of 
the first honor graduates of the University were prepared 
at Bingham. 2 The first class that left them under the 
new name of William Bingham and Sons was composed 
of five. Of these four took first honors at the Univer- 
sity ; and the fifth took second honors. There were more 
than eighty members of this class at the University ; and 
besides the four from Bingham but one took first honors, 
and he was from Horner's, whose founder was James 
Horner, a pupil of William J. Bingham. 

Just before the Civil War, they built a fine and com- 
modious academy building at Oaks, and were getting in 
shape for a more enlarged field of work and usefulness. 
As soon as the war came Robert gave up the school to 
his aged father and his elder brother, William. From 
beginning to end he was a gallant and brave soldier.^ 
He raised a company and went to the front at the be- 
ginning ; and he was one of Gen. Lee's seven thousand, 
five hundred men at Appomatox Court House. How- 
ever, the school went right on during the war, in spite 
of the general demoralization, the depreciation of money 
and the demands upon the teachers and pupils for police 



1. Our Ijiviiig and Our Dead, Vol. II., p. '6Ti. 

2. Ibid, Vol. II.. p. 37:!. 

3. Ibid, p. 374. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 79 

work.^ After 1863 the father practically retired from 
the principalship ; and William then took charge of the 
management, though in reality he did not become nomi- 
nal principal until 1865. ^ William J. Bingham died 
February 19th, 1866 ; and his death removed one of the 
most striking personalties and unique teachers this State 
has ever produced. 

William Bingham, the third principal, was born 1835, 
and died February 18th, 1873. He took his A. B. from 
the University in 1856.^ He was of very delicate health, 
hence did not do active service in the field of war, though 
be was made a Colonel of the Confederate States Army. 
He was equally great as a teacher, public speaker and 
author of text books. His Latin texts have received the 
greatest praise. They at one time were used in every 
State in the Union, especially in the South and West; 
they were perhaps used more extensively than the works 
of any other Southern author."^ His first book was a 
Latin Grammar, a rather small and elementary work ; 
and at the end of the preface is found : " Oaks, N. C, 
May 10, 1863." This was published at Greensboro, 
North Carolina, by Sterling, Campbell and Albright, a 
firm which published most of the North Carolina books 
during the war times. During December, 1863, a Caesar 
came from his hands, written at the same place. On 
October 30th, 1866, he sent forth from Mebaneville a re- 
vised and enlarged edition of his Latin Grammar. This 
was revised the third time by Prof. W. Gordon McCabe, 
now of Richmond, Virginia. In 1868 a revised Csesar 
came out.^ He was also the author of an English 
Grammar and Exercise. The school was moved from 



1. Our Living and Our Dead, Vol. II.. p. 37.5. 

2. General Catalogue of University of North Carolina, \i. 9-5. 

3. Ibid. p. 95. 

4. Our Living and Our Dead. Vol, II., p. aSO. 

5. See Books in Greensboro Female College Library. 



80 THE CHURCH A.ND PRIVATE 

Oaks to Mebaneville in 18G5, where it remained till its 
removal to Asheville in 1891.^ It was placed under mili- 
tary control about the year 1865 ; and so it has remained. 
The principal was given the title and rank of a ('olonel 
by the State. 

At his death in 1873 his brother, Robert, became the 
fourth principal ; and he still guides the institution. He 
was born in 1838 ; took his A. B. degree ii-om the Univer- 
sity in 1857, and later his A. M. In his class were Judge 
A. C. Avery, of Burke, Hon. B. F. Grady, of Duplin, 
Hon. John W. Graham, of Orange, Col. Thos. S. Kenan, 
of Raleigh, and others equally distinguished.- As has 
been mentioned, he took an active part dui-ing the Civil 
War, with the rank of Captain in the Southern States 
Array. 3 His administration of twenty-four years has 
been wise and progressive. He has endeavored to main- 
tain the high standard of scholarship set by his prede- 
cessors ; and in addition to this he has increased the 
patronage to a considerable extent. The faculty for the 
year 1874-1875 consisted of Major Robert Bingham, 
William Bingham Lynch, Captain T. L. Norwood and 
W. G. Quakenbush.'^ 

Major Lynch deserves some further notice than a mere 
mention. He was a grandson of the first William Bing- 
ham. He took his A. B., with first honors, from the 
University in 1859, and became a Lieutenant of the 
Confederate States Army.^ He was Professor of Greek 
in Davidson College 1860-1864 ; and teacher and co- 
principal of Bingham School 1864-1879. While pro- 
fessor at Davidson, he took his A. M. at the University 
in 1862. After leaving Bingham he ran a military school 



1. Catalogue, 1891, p. 1. 

2. North Carolina Presbyterian, Dec. 24, 1896. 

3. General Catalogue of the University of North Carolina, p. 9-5. 

4. Catalogue, 1874. p. 1. 

5. General Catalogue of University of North Carolina, p. 166. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 81 

at High Point until 1883. From here lie went to Lake 
Mary, Florida. ^ 

They gave fine instruction, and they charged for it. 
The expenses for session of twenty weeks in 1874 were : 
tuition $62.50 ; board $82.50 ; books and washing $15.00. 
Their course of studies at the same time was extensive 
for academical work. English and Commercial : first 
year — Spelling, Reading, Writing, English Grammar, 
Composition, Geography, History and Arithmetic; sec- 
ond year — the same with Book-keeping, Natural Philoso- 
phy and Chemistry. Mathematical : Arithmetic (San- 
ford) , Algebra (Todhunter) , Geometry (Chauvenet) , 
Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry and Calculus; and 
this went through five years. Latin: Gi'ammar (Bing- 
ham and Gildersleevoj , Caesar (Bingham) , Prose Compo- 
sition, Sallust, Ovid, Vergil, Cicero, Livy, Horace and 
Juvenal ; and this wai a five years' course. Greek : 
Grammar and Reader, Prose Composition (Jones), 
Xenophon's Anabasis and Memorabilia, Herodotus and 
Homer ; this extended through three years. They also 
gave a course in French and German, each lasting two 
years. 2 

The school had its first destructive fire in 1882, and 
again in 1890. Maj. Bingham immediately after the 
second fire began lo look for a new location. These two 
fires had consumed the library and apparatus ; and it 
seemed best to move the school to some good town, where 
protection from fire could be had. Several places made 
bids for it, among which were Charlotte and Asheville. 
Asheville was chosen ; and, as has been mentioned, it was 
moved there in 1891. New buildings were erected dur- 
ing that summer. 

The city of Asheville has a world-wide reputation for 



1. Semi-Centennial Catalogue of Davidson College, p. 17. 

2. Catalogue, 1871, p. 3. 



82 THK ('mji:<'ii and jmuvatk 

its ]i(!;iltlifiilii(!ss and its iiatufal Ixi.'iiity. On one of tlie 
(incsl, spots iK^ai' by is lo(;;it(!(l tliis s(;Iiool. TIh! placo is 
known as liin^liani Heights. Ii is indeed a beaiitilnl 
spot. 'I'lie l^'reneli lii'oad sweeps the foot of tlui liijjjli 
clilf ol' I'oeks ; toward the east can be seen Bb'ujk Monn- 
tain ; lowai'd the south, Blue Ridj^e and I'is^ali ; and 
not bnl- a. few nfdes away is («(M)1-^(! Vandei'bilt's place, 
one of the ^M'eat.est in the world. The buildin;:;s have 
the l)est |)ossible ventilation and saiiitai-y arrangements ; 
they w(.'re made foi* h(!allh and utility, noti foi* show. 
And too their ai'ran^ement foi* manaj^ing l)oys is excel- 
l(uit. They ai'e built, of bri<-k, one stoi'y hii^h and one 
room deep, ^riu^ii- Moors are doubled, with building 
paper Ixitween ; and beiK^ath the wliohi jlooi- is a, coat of 
cement and slate to pi'eviuit dam))ness from rising. The 
rooms ai'(! ma(l(i practically fii*(^ jiroof. The site is two 
hundred and lil'ty feet above the 1^'reneh iiroad, and th(i 
drainajj;e is perfect. ^V\\o, dormitories arc; in <M<2;ht sec- 
tions ; and a class-room, with (piai'iisrs foi" a t(!a<;her be- 
liind, is ])lac(Hl in the center of eiich of the sections. To 
move the s(-hool t-o a far a-way loc^ation and to hous(! it 
in buildini>s so well adapted to ^ood disc-iplinti and robust 
liealth, r(Mpiir(Hl much knowledge, judgment and skill. 
However, Maj. Bin<:;ha,m was fully ecpial to the demand ; 
h(^ had had a personal experiences of tbirty years and the 
traditional expei-icuHHi of his school I'or almost a hundred. 
'Vo his ^reat exixM'ienc^e he a,d(h'd a cai'cful study of the 
educatioruil systenis of the whoh^ (country. 

The school since its removal to Asheville has extended 
its held of patronage, as well as ma-d(^ its (xpiipnuuit far 
larger and bc^tter. 'i'he nundxM* ol" pupils loi- the i)ast 
six years has been about on(! liundrcul.' Its expenses 
are still higher than otliei* schools in the State. For a 
school year of idrty weeks three hundred dollars are 

1. (JatitlnKurs, IWIl-lHia. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. S3 

charged.^ It has been a financial success to a great de- 
gree. During 1895, in spite of the hard times, more 
than six thousand dollars were made from the earnings 
above the regular expenses. ^ And its course of studies 
has been extended in order to meet the demands of such 
a location and the times and circumstances in which it 
exists. 3 The faculty has l)een doubled in the last ten 
years. For the school year 1897-1898 it has : Major 
Robert Bingham, A. M., LL. D., Superintendent; R. L. 
Grinnan, T. B. Lee, A. B. (University of North Caro- 
lina) , S. W. McKee, A. B. (Davidson College), St. 
George T. Grinnan, J. S. Williams, A. B. (University 
of North Carolina) — Captains; M. C. Millender, M. D., 
Surgeon; Major Charles L. Davis (Brevet Major U. S. 
Army, author of " North Carolina in the Continental 
Lines," 1896). -^ 

The charities of this institution, like most North Caro- 
lina schools, have been great. Since the beginning no 
worthy student has been turned away on account of 
the lack of means'^ In 1874, and for many years before 
and after this date, they made an offer of free tuition to 
the sons of the ministers of the gospel of any denomina- 
tion ; also to the orphans of ministers, candidates for 
the ministry and sons of deceased Masons without means." 
This gift meant a good deal, as tuition was then one 
hundred and twenty-five dollars per year. Now the 
same offer is made, except the amount is only fifty dol- 
lars ; and this reduction of fifty dollars is the same as is 
given in free tuition in most of the schools and colleges 
of the State. 

The whole history of this school is interesting and 

1. Catalogue, 1897, p. Hi. 

2. North Carolina Presbyterian, Dec. 2-1, 1890. 

3. Catalogue, 1897, pp. JJ2-34. 

4. Ibid, 1897. 

5. Our Living and Our Dead, Vol. II.. p. ;!72. 
0. Catalogue, 1874, p. 3. 



84 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

unique. As an instance, during the past twenty years 
its pupils have come from tliirty-two States of the Union, 
and from Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Scotland, England 
and Siam. It has had among its numbers one who be- 
came Vice President of the United States ; some of them 
have become Cabinet officers. Senators and members of 
the House of Representatives, and other prominent offi- 
cials in our National Government. Its students have 
played a great part in this State's political, social and 
intellectual life. Among the eminent jurists, were 
Thomas Ruffin, the greatest Chief-Justice North Caro- 
lina has ever had, and Justice A. C. Avery, who retired 
from the Supreme Bench of this State at the close of 
1896. Tod R. Caldwell, Governor of North Carolina in 
the troubled times of 1871-1874, Elias Carr, Govf'rnor 
1892-1896, Daniel L. Russell, who is our present Gov- 
ernor — these and many others of great prominence are 
to be found among the number of pupils of this historic 
school.^ 

SALEM FEMALE ACADEMY. 

A brief review of the Moravian settlements in North 
Carolina was made in the early part of this sketch. They 
will be mentioned here only as far as Salem is concerned. 
This place was selected as the central town of all their 
settlements. It was chosen by Count Zinzendorf before 
his death; and afterwards by Frederick W. Marshall, 
who was then Superintendent of the whole community.^ 
The hill was surveyed in 1765, and the square was laid 
off in 1766. The site for this central town was about 
eighteen miles east of the Yadkin river and between 
Middle Fork (Wach) and Brushy Fork (Lick).^ The 



1. Catalogues and points furnished by Major Robert Bingham. 

2. WinJiler's Wlnston-Salem, p. 30. 

3. Reichel's History of tlie Moravians in Nortli Carolina, p. 61; Martin's History, 
Vcl. I., Appendix, pp. XLIX-LII. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 85 

square was three hundred feet long and one hundred and 
seventy wide. The first family house, built of logs, was 
completed by August, 1769. During the next year a 
two-story house, called the Brother's House, was erected. 
This was used as a church till 1771. ^ In 1772 another 
edifice was erected for a meeting house ; and a large bell, 
Vv^eighing two thousand seven hundred and fifty-eight 
pounds, was placed in this to serve as a town clock. A 
two stop organ was built for the church the same year.^ 
This house served them as a place of worship till 1800. In 
1798 another edifice for the growing congregation was 
begun ; and by November the 9th, 1800, it was ready for 
use. 3 It was a remarkable structure, and still serves 
them for church purposes. In this, at the same time, 
was built a large pipe organ with fourteen stops — for a 
long time the finest and largest of its kind in the whole 
State. 4 

The first minister of the Unitas Fratrum, for this is 
their real official and church name, was Rev. Paul 
Tiersch, who came in 1771.^ Rev. John Daniel Kohler 
came from Europe to become their preacher in 1784.*^ 
He became Bishop in 1790 ; and still served the church 
till 1801. On June 6, 1802, Rev. C. G. Reichel, who 
had for some years been minister and principal of the 
Boys School at Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was installed as 
pastor of Salem.'' During 1803, at the close of the 
fiftieth year of their life in North Carolina, they had a 
great meeting at Salem. Many representatives were 
there from most of the other churches of this section. 
At that time their members were : Salem , 290 ; Betha- 

1. Reiehel's History, pp. (32-63. 

2. Robbins' Winston-Salem, p. 16. 

3. Reiehel's History, p. 105. 

4. Martin's History, Vol. I., Appendix, pp. XLIX-LII. 

5. Reiehel's History, p. 66. 

6. Ibid, p. 96. 

7. Ibid, pp. 105-106. 



86 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

bara, 81; Bethania, 293; Friedberg, 231; Friedland, 
135 ; Hope, 175.^ 

This clmrch has ever paid great attention to schools. 
It is stated that in 1500, forty-three years after its be- 
ginning, it had a school in each of its four hundred 
pai'ishes, besides higher institutions. By 1600 their 
schools were the finest in Bohemia. As an illustrious 
example of its schools John Amos Comenius might be 
named. 2 As soon as a settlement was well organized, a 
church and a school-house were erected ; they fully recog- 
nized that life amounted to little without truth and right. 
Salem, which signifies peace, was not slow to set on foot 
a movement for a school for its chilcren, especially for 
its girls. According to Martin, there was built on the 
northwest corner of the square a school-house for boys 
as early as 1794. To this could go the male children of the 
inhabitants of the town, and of those living near around. 
They could not enter under six years of age, nor remain 
longer than till the age of twelve or fourteen. In this 
were taught: Reading, Writing, German, English, 
Cyphering, History, Geography ; and the rudiments of 
Latin, Drawing and Music were taught to some."^ 

The girls' school, which soon became. known as Salem 
Female Academy, was opened in 1802. The regular 
academy building was begun October 6th, 1803. Bishop 
Reichel conducted the ceremony of laying the cornei'- 
stone. The whole ceremony was unique. In the north- 
west corner was placed a copper case in which is this , 
written in English and German : "In the name of God, 
the Father and the Son, ar.d the Holy Ghost, in the 
year after the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 
one thousand, eight hundred and three, on the sixth day 

1. Reichel's History, p. 112. 

2. Manuscript (15,000 words) of Miss Adelaide L. Fries, in Salem Female Academj- 
Library. 

3. Martin's History, Vol. I., Appendix, pp. XLIX-LII. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 87 

of October, in the twenty-seventh year of the Independ- 
ence of the United States of America, when Thomas 
Jefferson was President of them, in the fiftieth year after 
the settling of the first members of the Church of the 
United Brethren in North Carolina and in the beginning 
of building Betliabara, in the thirty-eighth year since 
the beginning of building Salem, the foundation stone 
of this house for a Boarding School of Girls was laid in a 
solemn manner, in the presence of the whole Congrega- 
tion , with fervent Prayer to our Lord, that by the School, 
to be established in this House, His name may be glori- 
fied, His Kingdom of Grace be enlarged in this Country 
and the Salvation of souls of those, who shall be edu- 
cated therein, be promoted."^ This house was com- 
pleted in 1804, and dedicated July 16th, 1805.2 Martin's 
History, Vol. I., appendix, pages IXL-LTI., gives a very 
interesting description of this building. According to 
him it was sixty-two feet long and forty-two deep. In 
the lower part were two large, and some smaller, apart- 
ments. In one of these large rooms the girls day school 
was kept ; in the other was the dining hall for the board- 
ing pupils. In the upper story were three large apart- 
ments, and one smaller one. In each lived from fourteen 
to sixteen girls under the care of two tutoresses. The 
small room on this story was used as a sick room. Over 
these rooms was a hall, sixty feet long, thirty wide and 
fourteen high. This w^as the sleeping place of the stu- 
dents under the care of their teachers. 

The first principal of the academy was elected by the 
Conference of October 31st, 1802, — Rev. Samuel G. 
Kramsch. He was a native of Silesia and at that time 
English minister of the Church at Hope, Nortli Carolina. 
He and his wife both had had training in boarding- 



1. Reichers History, pp. 116-117. 

2. Ibid, pp. 119-1-JO. 



88 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

scliool work and management.^ There was a girls' 
scliool in Salem a short while before the academy began. 
It was in the old Gemein Haus (Congregation House) , 
whicli stood on the east side of the public square. Tlie 
second floor of tliis was once a cluirch for tlie congrega- 
tion , but now (1S00-]S()2) a chapel. The lower Hoor 
had three apartments. The minister occupied two of 
tliese ; and the south one was used for a girls' day school. 

In 1803 there were forty-two little girls in Salem, 
twelve of whom afterwards became teachei-s in the acad- 
emy, one till 1850. Of tlie forty-two. twenty-three were 
pupils in the school. ^ Early in 1804, before the build- 
ing was completed, four girls came from Hillsboro to 
enter as tlie first boarding pupils. Very soon afterwards, 
came two from Halifax, one from Caswell and one from 
Fayetteville. In 3 805, two came from Camden, South 
Carolina, the first from that State, which, next to North 
Carolina, has furnished the largest number.^ The first 
to occupy the new building were Mr. andMi-s. Kramsch, 
their two daughters, twenty boarders and four teachers.* 

Nine teachers entered into the work during 1804-1805 : 
Miss Sophia Dorathea Reichel, daughter of the Bishop, 
(1804-09) ; Miss Maria Salome Meinung (1804-07) ; 
Miss Johanna Elizabeth Praezel (1804-08) ; Miss 
Johanna Sophia Sliober (1805-0(), 1807-09) ; Miss 
Johanna Elizabeth Reuz (18,05-20) ; Miss Agnes Susanna 
Praezel (1805-16) ; Mrs. M. E. Praezel, in village girls' 
school, (1805-13). s Of this number, Miss Praezel was 
the most noted. She won quit5 a local reputation as a 
fine musician. It is even said that she had learned the 
piano, hai'p and organ before she was twelve. At this 



1. Reichel's History, p. IIG. 

2. Ibid, p. 118. 

8. ibid, pp. 119-121. 

4. Ibid, p. 121. 

5. Ibid, p. 126. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 89 

age she was made a teacher in the day school. This 
work was very laborious at that time, as she had to copy 
all the music for her pupils. She was also organist for 
the week-day services in the church, which were held 
every evening. 

In 1806 the first printed circular was sent out, known 
as the " Terms and Conditions of the Boarding School 
for Female Education in Salem, N. C." The ages 
when girls could be admitted were eight and twelve ; and 
at fifteen they had to leave. The expenses for the whole 
year amounted to about one hundred and sixty dollars, 
five dollars entrance money being added. The regular 
course of studies was : Reading, Grammar, Writing, 
Arithmetic, History, Geography ; German and Plain 
Needle Work were given if desired. Music, Drawing and 
Ornamental Needle Work were extra. ^ Those who de- 
sired entrance had to make application. "It is desirable 
that such as are applied for should have had small or 
kine pox and measles."^ 

In those early days the home life was made as perfect 
as possible. The students were divided into companies 
of fifteen and twenty girls. Each company was in 
charge of two lady teachers ; and these served alternate 
days. The teacher was always there to helj^ and give 
counsel; and the principal was their pastor, father, 
guardian and friend. Mr. Kramsch was a botanist, and 
gave each girl a small garden. In this she cultivated 
the flowers which she collected while on her daily walks. ^ 

In those early times the conveniences of traveling 
were very few. The horse and coach were in use in 
some sections ; in many places, however, traveling on 
horseback was the common thing. It was in tliis way 



1. Reichers History, pp. 121-122. 

2. Manuscript of Miss Fries. 

3. Ibid. 



90 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

that many girls came to Salem Female Academ}'. They 
came for hundreds of miles in company with father or 
older brother, and often in company with several com- 
panions. When they reached the school, the horse was 
sold and the saddle laid away till the girl finished her 
course of studies. When they once entered they re- 
mained until their education was completed ; it was too 
much trouble to go home on vacation.^ They did not 
have long summer vacations as now, but only a few days 
rest during the mid-summer. During these rest days 
the girls made themselves merry in many ways, especially 
by picnics and excursions into the country. 

In 1806 Mr. Kramsch gave up the principalship to 
Rev. Abraham G. Steiner. He was a native of Beth- 
lehem, Pennsylvania. His administration lasted about 
ten years, and was in every way successful. In 1807 a 
third room was added ; and a fourth was needed soon 
afterwards, and was built in 1811. This same year a 
house was built for the principal and his family, so as 
to give more room for pupils. This house is still the 
home of the principal. The pupils came in so fast to- 
ward the hitter ])ai"t of his administration, that many of 
them could not obtain accommodations in the school 
building and had to lodge in private families. ^ From 
May, 1804, to the end of the year 1807 as many as one 
hundred and twenty-four gii-ls, from North Carolina, 
South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and 
Georgia, received their education there. ^ As a rule the 
institution was very healthful, though at one time in 
1814 there were seventy-four cases of measles. 

In 1807 the first cei'tificate of scholarship was given. 
Its wording is exceedingly queer: "Be it known that 



1. Manusfi-ipt of Mis.s Fries. 

2. Reichul's History, p. 122. 
8. Manuscript of Miss Fries. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 91 

Miss , dauo-hter of of Co., State of 

, has for sometime past resided and been a pupil 

in the Boarding School for Female Education in Salem, 
N. C, and as she is now on the point of leaving the said 
Institution, the Inspector and Tutoresses of the same can 
not withhold from her the testimony of applause due her 
for her general good conduct as a pupil in said Institu- 
tion. She has followed her studies with all assiduity 
and has made good progress therein, very willingly 
submitted to the rules of the school, and by her good 
conduct and strictly moral behavior, has gained the 
good will and esteem of those under whom she has been 
placed, and the sincere regard of the whole school. 
Given at Salem the 29th of October, 1807, for myself, 
and in the name of the Tutoresses of the said Institution. 
Abraham Steiner, Inspector. "^ 

In 1806 Mr. Steiner, on account of a failure of health, 
gave up the principalship to Rev. Gotthhold Benjamin 
Reichel ; and he continued as a teacher and book-keeper. 
Mr. Reichel was the son of Bishop Riechel, and served 
the school well indeed till his death, December 20th, 
1833. He was also pastor of the Salem Church from 
1829 to 1833. The school increased under him, and by 
1824 an addition to the building was necessary — a school- 
room and chapel. 2 

Some of the quaint and primitive customs during his 
term of office are worthy of notice. In their large com- 
mon dormitory were little snow white beds. The floor 
was covered with white sand, swept into many different 
patterns. In the center stood the long table with its 
rows of benches. The girls were " day-keepers " by 
turns, two at a time, and performed all of the services 
for the living room, such as bringing water and carrying 

1. Manuscript of Miss Fries. 

2. Reichel's History, pp. 123-124 ; Manuscript of Miss Fries. 



92 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

wood. Friday was a general house cleansing day. The 
teachers and pupils cleaned the dirty candle sticks and 
washed new sand foi- the floors. Tlie dining hall was in 
the basonent, and was of two rooms, one for the two 
youngest companies and tlie other for the older pupils. 
The girls seated themselves on benches, and the teacher 
sat on a stool at the head of the table. As soon as all 
were still, the teacher began singing the blessing, "Leave 
Thy Peace divine with us, we are thine." The table 
cloth was coarse, home-made, tow linen ; the plates 
pewter, the knives and forks steel ; and the tea or coffee 
was drunk from l)owls without handles. On certain days 
this table ware liad to be sci-ubbed with I'ushes. Toward 
the close of the principalship of Mr. Reichel, it is said 
that a certain lady while visiting the school was so much 
displeased at the table appointments, that she sent to 
the store and purclKis(!(l China. })lates and cu])s, and cot- 
ton table clothes. Their fare was wholesome, though 
very plain. The boarding department was in charge of 
the Single Sisters until 1859; and they ran it for the 
support of their establishment. Nine o'clock was the 
hour for the pupils to be in bed ; and the teachers were 
in by ten. Their di'ess was simple and made by them- 
selves. They did not wear hats when they went to 
churcli, but caps made of white bobinet, lined with 
strands of floss and tied under the chin with ribbon. ^ 

Upon the death of Mr. Reichel, Bishop Bechler took 
charge for the time. In 1834 Rev. John Christian 
Jacobson became principal. He was at the time of his 
election minister of Bethania ; and he served for ten 
years. In 1844 he left for Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 
where he became principal of the Boarding School for 
Boys. In 1835 a new chapel was built; and by 1841 
the Congregation House was given over to school pur- 

1. Mamiscripl of Miss Fries. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 93 

poses alone. The school had one hundred and eighty 
boarding pupils in 1838 ; and to teach this number there 
were nineteen teachers, besides the principal.^ 

During the year 1840 the following circular was sent 
out : 

"terms of the institution for female education, 

Entrance 5.00 

Board and Washing and Tuition, including Read- 
ing, Grammar, Writing, Arithmetic, History, 
Geography, the use of the Globes, Composition, 
Natural Philosophy, Chemistiy, Botany, Latin, 
French, Drawing and Painting, Plain Needle- 
work, &c per quarter 30.00 

Instruction in Music per quarter 5.00 

Instruction in Ornamental Needle-work per quarter 3 .00 

For the use of the Library per quarter 1.00 

Books, Station ai'y, Medicine and Medical attendance, 
and other contingent expenses, placed to account. 
One hundred dollars paid in advance. 

Clothes found by Parents or Guardian, or placed to 
account. 

Bills adjusted semi-annually, and full payment to be 
made at the removal of a pupil. The amount of Board, 
Tuition, and contingent expenses may be calculated at 
Two Hundred Dollars, more or less for one year. 

"No pupil admitted without seasonable application 
by letter, post-paid, mentioning name, age &c, nor 
unless an affirmative answer be previously given by Rev. 
John C. Jacobson, Principal of the Boarding School, 
Salem,N. C."2 

In 1844 Rev. Charles Adolphus Bleck took charge. ^ 
During his administration of four years the idea of 
making some of the courses of studies more advanced 



1. Reichers History, p. 124. 

2. Manuscript of Miss Fries. 

3. Reichel's History, p. 124, 



94 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

was incorporated. Until tins time those who desired to 
take French had to recite to the principal at seven 
o'clock in tlie morning. When Mr. Bleck came in, a 
select class of eight or ten boarders and two day pupils 
was formed and taught by Mrs. Denke, who, as Maria 
Steiner, had taught in the institution from 1811 to 1828' 
and had spent two years in Europe. ^ 

In 1848 Rev. Emil Aclolphus de Schw(>initz became 
the sixth principal.^ He at once established the custom 
of annual examinations. These were very exciting times, 
and the method by which they were carried on was in- 
teresting as well as quaint. It is said that for sometime 
before these were to be held crowds came in coaches and 
on horseback ; and that the whole town opened its dooi's 
to receive the visiting patrons in true hospitality. It 
required a week or more for the private examinations. 
These were conducted in the Chapel by the principal. 
In those times he was versed in the whole course of 
studies ; it was not a time of specialists. It seems that 
the teachers taught during the year and the principal 
examined at the close. The last day of the examinations 
was always public, and was one memorable in the lives 
of all the students. In the Church, in which this always 
occurred, there were many decorations and specimens of 
the work done by the pupils during the past year. The 
first thing on the programme of that day was the roll- 
call, to which each pupil gave an answer by rising and 
making her best bow. After this came the dialogues, 
music and other exercises. In one or the other each girl 
had to take part ; and often there were exercises in all 
of the subjects studied during the year. These public 
examinations during the next administration became 



1. Reichers Hlstoiy, p. 1-.29. 

2. Manuscript of Miss Fries. 

3. Reieliel's History, p. 124. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 95 

public eiitertainraents, which eventually evolved into 
the present commencements.^ 

In 1853 Rev. Robert de Schweinitz, a brother of Emil 
Adolphus, took charge of the school. He held the posi- 
tion twelve years, and these were very important years 
in its history. Daring 1854 the first catalogue was sent 
out ; and about the same time the old Congregation 
House was torn down and a new building begun. The 
contents of the old corner stone were placed into the 
new, known as the New Academy. By March 24th, 
1856, the new building was ready for occupancy, and 
the school was moved into its larger and more handsome 
quarters.^ 

Prom the manuscript of Miss Fries, which the writer 
finds very interesting and accurate, and from ReichePs 
History of the Moravians in North Carolina, appendix, 
pages 192-195, the Pi'incipal's official report of the new 
building is given : "The dimensions of the main build- 
ing are 100 feet front by 52 feet deep, with a wing at the 
north 70ix34i feet, and another at the south 77x44 feet. 
The main building, as well as the north wing, is four 
stories on the front, and at the rear (on account of the 
descent of the ground) five stories including the base- 
ment. The fronts of the house are of pressed brick, ex- 
pressly manufactured for our building, and are probably 
some of the first of the kind made in our State." 

These w^ere very prosperous years. During the year 
1856 there were three hundred and fifteen pupils, of 
whom two hundred and thirty were boarders. To in- 
struct this number there w^ere eighteen resident and 
eleven non-resident teachers. Up to the close of this 
same year, there had been in the institution three thous- 
and four hundred and seventy students, and one hun- 



1. Manuscript of Miss Fries. 

2. Ibid; Reicliel's History, p. 12-5. 



96 THE CHUUCH AND PRIVATE 

dred and twenty-four instructors. Of tliis number, only- 
two teachers and twelve pupils had died while in the 
school.^ As the Civil War came on the school grew 
larger still ; those times were the most prosperous in 
numbers the school ever had in its whole history. Salem 
Academy was regarded as a place of safety, and many 
pupils were sent there then on that account. The au- 
thorities of the school soon had to send out the announce- 
ment that "there was no more room; but if you will 
bring beds we will try to board you." These too were 
prosperous years in moral and intellectual growth. The 
school went on without a single day's interruption. ^ 
The din of war was near, but they went on their accus- 
tomed quiet way. That was ind3ed a great oasis in the 
desert left by devastating war around. That was a time 
when young hearts were bound so closely together that 
they have never since been disunited. Find the pupil of 
Salem Female Academy of those days, and you will feel 
that loyalty and love for institutions as you have never 
felt before. 

Toward the close of the war Stoneman's Brigade 
marched upon Salem. The valuable papers were taken 
from the office and placed under the stone floor of the 
cellar of the Principal's house ; and the money was hid- 
den beneath the floor of the sitting room. When the 
brigade reached the town, the mayor, principal and 
other citizens surrendered the place and the academy, and 
asked for a guard to be stationed about the latter. This 
request for protection was gi-anted and the school went 
on as if nothing had happened. The brigade was in 
camp south of town for about two days, but found the 
place so peaceful and quiet, that they soon pulled up 
and left. The large crowd of intelligent girls conquered 



1. ReiehePs History, p. 129. 

2. Manuscript of Miss Fries. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 97 

the whole brigade, and with little trouble or incon- 
venience to themselves.^ The school has been, and is the 
greatest of all powers. It goes forth to battle quietly, 
but in the end conquers all things. 

At the close of the war the school was full to tlie brim. 
During 1866 one luindred and fifty-two new names were 
added to the record-book, the greatest number of any 
one year. On February 21st of the same year the acad- 
emy was incorporated by the legislature as a regular 
college. The act of incorporation is as follows: "The 
faculty of said School, that is to say, the President, Pro- 
fessors, Teachers, by and with the consent of the Trus- 
tees, shall have the power of conferring all such degrees 
or marks of literar}'^ distinction, or diplomas, as are 
usually conferred in colleges and seminaries of learning. " ^ 
At the same time the course of studies was raised to a 
considerable extent. At the close of the school year 
1865-1866, Mr. De Schweinitz gave up the ppincipalship 
to go to Nazareth Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Rev. Maximillian E. Grunei't, who had beeii in the 
faculty as first professor for sometime, took charge 
During his superintendence the school went on prosper- 
ing, till it was visited by a great scourge of small-pox. 
This caused great anxiety and somewhat lessened the 
numbers, though not a single student ever died from the 
disease. In 1873 he had the old building changed and 
improved, to very much the appearance of the new. In 
1877 Rev. J. Theophilus Zorn became principal. He 
set on foot a school journal, known as The Academy, 
which was first issued in March, 1878, and has been pub- 
lished ever since. It was during tliis year that the first 
Senior Class was formed. ^ 

In 1884 Rev. Edward Rondthaler became principal, 

1. Manuscript of Miss Fries. 

•2. Catalogue, 1896-1897. pp. 21-20. 

3. Manuscript of Miss Fries; letter from Principal J. H. Clewell. 



98 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

and Rev. John H. Clewell assistant. Mr. RondthaJer 
was at the time pastor of the Salem congregation, and 
later became Bishop of the Southern Province of the 
Moravian Church. When he took hold the attendance 
was not very lar.^e, it having gradually gone down for 
the past several years. He brought a new life to the 
academy, increased its patronage, and made many ad- 
vantageous improvements. As a rule the Moravian 
Church has been opposed to innovations ; the principals 
have been very conservative in their methods. How- 
ever, Bishop Rondthaler made many changes in the 
dormitories ; also in the course of studies and plans of 
teaching.^ 

In 1885 the academy received its first endowment. 
The first gift was to the support oi the Art Department. 
In consequence of the gift this department has grown to 
a large extent. Misses Troeger and Lewis, of New York, 
and Miss Siewers, have been the makers of it. The music 
instruction was for a long time under lady teachers, but 
in later years skilled men have managed it. Pi-ofs. E. 
W. Linebach, S. D'Anna and Fredrick Agthe, brought 
the work up to such a standard that in 1885 a regular 
course for graduation was given in this department. 
Profs. George Markgraff, Schmolck, Skilton and Shirley, 
have been its directors since that time. Another inno- 
vation of the same year was the introduction of a depart- 
ment of Book-keeping, Phonography and Telegraphy. ^ 
In 1886 the Alumnae Association was formed. On the 
lOtli of October, 1887, the Euterpean Society was or- 
ganized, a few months later the Hesperian. In May, 
1888, Dr. Rondthaler gave up the management to the 
present principal, Rev. John H. Clewell,^ though he is 

1. Manuscript of Miss Fries; points of letter from Principal Clewell. 
'J. Manuscript of Miss Fries; catalogues. 
3. Ibid. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 99 

still superintendent of the department of languages. He 
is a native of Pennsylvania ; graduated at the Moravian 
Theological Seminary at Bethlehem, and studied for 
some years in Europe;^ given D. D. by the University 
of North Carolina in 1880.- He became pastor of Salem 
in 1877.^ His influence as a teacher and preacher has 
been very marked ; he is easily one of the leading char- 
acters of his church. 

The present principal has made still more improve- 
ments ; his administration has been wise and able. He 
received his education at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and 
at Union Theological Seminary, New York City.^ Just 
after his coming into office. Annex Hall was erected to 
supply the demand for room. When this was completed 
a new nomenclature was adopted. The old academy 
now has the name of South Hall ; the new academy, 
Main Hall, and the Bagge House, Old Annex. In 
September, 1889, a post-graduate course was put in; 
and the degree of A. B. is conferred on those who com- 
plete this course. During December, 1890, Park Hall 
was completed. By 1892 the literary societies had 
grown to such pro-portions that Society Hall was built 
for their use.^ To a better equipment in the way of 
buildings have been added apparatus and a stronger 
teaching force. The number of students now excels the 
highest enrollment of the prosperous days prior to the 
Civil War. During the year 1896-1897 there were en- 
rolled three hundred and twenty-four pupils. Of this 
number North Carolina had two hundred and fifty ; and 
among the other seventy. four are representatives from 
Texas, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, 

1. Robbing' Winston-Salem, pp. 14-16. 

2. General Catalogue of the University of North Carolina, p. 2-11. 

3. Robbing' Wlnston-Salem, p. IH. 

4. Ibid. p. 14. 

•5. Manuscript of Miss Fries; Catalogue 1889-1890. 



100 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

New York, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, California, 
Brazil (S. A.), Mississippi, Lousiana, Kentucky, New- 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Iowa. Ore- 
gon, Cuba, Japan, Alaska. ^ 

The course of studies is : Preparatory — Histoiy of 
P^iu^land and the United States, Arithmetic, Algebi'a, 
Latin ; Freshman — Latiu Grammar, Ctesar, Aritlimetic, 
Algebra (Wentworth, chaps. 6-12) , Geometry (book I.) , 
French History, Physical Geography, English Grammar 
and Composition, Natural History ; Sophomore — Cicero, 
Sallust, Latin Composition, French or German Gram- 
mar, Arithmetic, Algebra (Wentworth, chap. 12 to end) , 
Ancient History (Myer's) , Geology, Astronomy, Eng- 
lish; Junior — Latin Prose Composition, Vergil, French 
or German Grammar and Classics, Solid Geometi'y, 
Conic Sections, Algebra, Physics, Botany, Biblical 
Literature, Shakespeare, Mediaeval and Modern History 
(Myer's) , Rhetoiic ; Senior — Greek , Horace, Latin Com- 
position, Latin authors, French or German Classics, 
Engligh Literature, Trigonometry, xilgebra and Geome- 
try, Biblical Literature, Critical study of tlie longer Eng- 
lish Poems, Mental and Moral Philosophy, Physiology, 
Chemistry, Mythology, Lectures on History and Essays.- 

The expenses are fairly high for North Carolina 
schools, especially in these daj^s. For the whole scholas- 
tic year, general tuition, room rent, lights and fuel, 
amount to two hundred and fifty dollars. In addition 
to this, Instrumental Music, Voice, Elocution, Drawing, 
Painting, Private French, Gei-man, Latin or Greek, 
Business course, are all extras ; and the charge for each 
one of these is from twenty to fifty dollars.'' 

Thus has this old school gi'own and prospered till the 



1. Catal()g\ic, isim-l8i)7, p. ]:-$. 

•2. Catalogue, 1K90-1897. 

a. Catalogue, 18%-1897. p. :iC.. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. IQl 

present day ; audit will continue on and on. It has 
taken such deep root in the whole South, that it would 
require a complete reformation of society before it could 
be overthrown. It lias become one of the historic and 
sacred centers of our life. It has been and is conserva- 
tive, and in many ways picturesque and unique. With 
the beautiful campus and grounds in the rear and the 
lovel}'' old Salem square on the front, it is a very attrac- 
tive spot. To the outsider it has much of the air and 
mystery of romance, but to those within it is a place of 
charm as well as of work, a place where character after 
character has been moulded and shaped. As man}^ as 
seven thousand boarding and five thousand day pupils 
have been instructed within its walls. Every State in 
the Union has been represented among its pupils, and 
as many as a dozen foreign countries. There have been 
two hundred and thirty-two teachers in the institution 
since its founding. ^ 

The list of the distinguished alumnae is long and 
famous. It would require more space than can be used 
here to name all of them, hence a few only will be given : 
Mrs. Ex-Pres. Polk (Sarah Childress) , Mrs. Stonewall 
Jackson (Mary Morrison) , Mrs. Gen. D. H. Hill (Isa- 
bella Morrison) , Mrs. Martha Patterson (Martha, 
daughter of Pres. Johnston), Mrs. Hon. John Bell 
(Sallie Dickinson), Mrs. Hon. SteiDhen A. Douglas 
(Martha Martin), Mrs. Judge Van Wyck (Lydia Mo- 
venck) , Mrs. R. M. Pearson fMary McDowell), Mrs. 
Judge Wells of U. S. Court (Eliza Covington) , Mrs. Ex- 
Gov. T. M. Holt (Louisa Moore), Mrs. Gen. Pender 
(Fannie Sheppard) , Mrs. Judge Blukensderfer (Miss 
Kramsch) , Mrs. Ex-Gov. D. L. Read (Henrietta Settle) , 
four daughters of Postmaster-General Key.^ 

1. Letter from Priofipal Clewell. 

2. Ibid. 



102 THE CHUllCH .\ND PIUVATE 

There are but three schools of the Moravian Church 
in tlie United States besides Salem: Bethlehem, Naza- 
reth and Lititz, Pennsylvania. However, there are 
quite a number in En<^laii(l, Germany, Fi'ance and 
Switzerland. The academy at Salem is the property of 
the Moravian Church, and is governed by a Synod, 
which meets every three years and appoints three men 
to govern between the meetings. These three are the 
trustees of the academy. At present they are : Rt. Rev. 
Edward Rondthaler, D. D., president; N. S. Siewers, 
M. D., and Rev. James E. Hall. The school property is 
worth about two hundi'cd thousand dollars. The enrlow- 
ment at present amounts to only about ten thousand. 
However, the buildings and grounds are free of rent. ^ 

THE EPISCOPAL THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL. 

In 1882 Rev. L. Silliman Ives, D. D., the second 
Episcopal bishop of North Carolina, urged the conven- 
tion to establish and ecpiip a theological and classical 
school under the auspices of their church. A committee 
was appointed for the purpose ; and they located the 
school near Raleigh, about one mile west of the State 
Capitol. They purchased one hundred and fifty-nine 
and one-half acres of land. To pay for this they gave 
their individual notes for sixteen hundred dollars. 
Seven thousand and five hundred dollars were borrowed 
from the Episcopal Fund to erect the central building. 
Ex-Gov. James Iredell was made chairman of the execu- 
tive committee ; and the whole work was pushed on 
with rapidity. On the 2nd of June, 1834, the school 
opened under very flattering circumstances. Every 
pupil had to be as old as fourteen, but still the institu- 
tion was full the first year. During the second session 



1. Letter from I'rineipal Clewell. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 103 

of the first year there were one hundred and three pupils 
enrolled, of which eighty-three were boarders. To ac- 
commodate the rush for the next year another building 
of the same size as the first was ordered to be erected. 
The expenses for board and tuition amounted to one 
hundred and seventy-five dollars for the scholastic year. 
The money promised on subscription came in very 
slowly. There were too many boys for the masters to 
control, and the teachers were poor in discipline. Very 
soon the patronage ran down , so that it was decided to 
close the school July, 1838. The debts by this time had 
amounted to about fifteen thousand dollars. The land, 
except twenty acres, and the furniture were sold. The trus- 
tees now proposed to leave out the classical feature and 
run it as an exclusively theological school. However, 
the Diocese did not agree to take part in this move, and 
the whole aff'air went under. It failed largely because 
of too great numbers during the first year and the lack 
of discipline and management on the part of the presid- 
ing teachers. Dr. Cogswell, Dr. Empie, Mr. De Berniere 
Hooper and Dr. Curtis, were its four masters.^ 



1. Sketches of Church History in North Carolina, pp. 297-301, hy Rev. Jarvis 
Buxton, D. D. 



104 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 



Chapter III. — Dep^unct Schools from 1835 to 1897. 



A good many schools came into existence from 183") 
to about 1870, but have long since ceased to exist. Much 
in the life of these is interesting. Several of them ex- 
isted for about a quarter of a century and had great in- 
fluence in their respective localities, and in some cases 
throughout much of the South. However, some of their 
liistory has been lost, and in some instances the writer 
has found out very little. Only those of importance will 
be considered here. 

CALDWELL INSTITUTE. 

As early as 1833 the Presbytery of Orange appointed 
a committee to see after establishing a classical school 
in which Christian Education should be the principal 
aim. On this committee were several of the leading 
characters of the Presbytery, among whom was Rev. 
Josepli Caldwell, D. D., President of the University of 
the State. They finally decided on Greensboro as the 
location ; and it was named Caldwell Institute after 
President Caldwell, who was the strongest force in the 
whole educational system at that time. They erected a 
two-story brick V)uilding on the spot just a few feet south 
of the present track of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley 
Railroad, through which South Elm street now runs.^ 

The school went into operation January 1st, 1836, 
under the guidance of Rev. Alexander Wilson, I). D. 
He was originally from the noi'th of Ireland. For some- 
time before his coming to take charge of the school he 



1. Messrs. R. M. Sioiui and D. F. Caldwell. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 105 

had been pastor of Grassy Creek and other churches in 
Granville county. 

Rev. Silas C. Lindsley, of New Jersey, became his as- 
sistant. He had been teaching in the Greensboro Acad- 
emy five years before Caldwell Institute was begun. ^ 
This academy had been run in a building, used by all 
the denominations as a pi'eaching place prior to 1830 
and located where Ashe and Sycamore streets now 
corner, opposite the present residence of Mr. W. D. 
Trotter. According to the intention of the first commit- 
tee, the principal served each pupil in the capacity of 
pastor. The teachers also were expected to give instruc- 
tion in I'eligious subjects. On Sunday each pupil was 
required to study some parts of the Bible or Evidences 
of Christianity, and the Westminster Catechism. Greek, 
Latin and Mathematics formed the basis for intellectual 
work. 2 

The success of the school was great even in the very 
beginning. By the opening of the third year another 
teacher was added. Rev. John A. Gretter. By the end 
of the sixth year one hundred students, from all parts of 
the State, were enrolled each year. In 1837 it received 
a charter from the legislature, according to which the 
trustees should all be of the Orange Presbytery. In 
1844 Mr. Gretter resigned to become pastor of the Pres- 
byterian Church of Greensboro, and Mr. Ralph Graves 
took his place. The school continued here until 1845. ^ 
At this time some contagious disease spread over Greens- 
boro to a considerable extent ; and at once there was a 
talk of moving the school to another location. The 
Presbytery met in Danville, Virginia, the last week of 
April, 1845, and decided to remove the institute at once. 



1. Greensboro I'atriot, May 24, ISIS. 

2. Foote's Sketches, pp. 518-519. 

a. J. C. Wharton, Greensboro Patriot. December US. 189(>. 



106 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Yancey ville, Oxford and Hillsboro made bids for it. 
On the 11th of June it was finally decided to move it to 
Hillsboro.^ After its removal, it flourished for some- 
time. Exactly when it closed the writer has not been 
able to find out. There was no school in its building at 
Hillsboro in 1859, when Col. Charles C. Tew established 
his Hillsboro Military Academy there. ^ 

GREENSBORO HIGH SCHOOL. 

Immediately after the removal of Caldwell Institute 
the people of Greensboro took up tlie matter and started 
the High School. They used the same building. Rev. 
Eli W. Caruthers became the first principal. Revs. 
John A. Gretter and Silas C. Lindsley, and Dr. Joseph 
A. McLean, were his associates. The classical depart- 
ment was under the care of Caruthers and Lindsley ; 
the mathematical, under Gretter and McLean ; and the 
English was taught by all of them. The first board of 
trustees was composed of: William D. Paisley, John M. 
Morehead, John A. Gilmer, Jeduthan H. Lindsay, John 
M. Dick, James Sloan and Robert Gorrell.^ 

Mr. Caruthers remained principal about two years. 
In the Greensboro Patriot of December 4th, 1847, there is 
an advertisment of Caruthers' Classical vSchool at Ala- 
mance, nine miles east of Greensboro. In the same 
paper under date of December 25th, 1847, is an adver- 
tisement of the Greensboro High School, with Rev. J. 
A. Gretter, principal and professor of English, and Rev. 
Silas C. Lindsley, professor of Latin and Greek. In 
this same advertisement the terms are given : tuition 
in the classical department fifteen dollars per session ; 



1. Foote's Sketches, p. 520. 

2. Our Living and Our Dead, VoL L, p. 498. 

3. Greensboro Patriot, May ard, LS^S. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 107 

ill the English eight ; board from six to eight dollars. 
As to how long this school continued the writer has not 
been able to find out with exactness. It was flourishing 
for somewhile, but its importance was always local. In 
fact, it does not deserve a place in these papers of its 
own force. It has been mentioned so as to give a few 
points on Mr. Caruthers, who was the greatest force in 
this part of the State for a long while and who in the 
line of the State's history has done comparatively a 
great deal. However, it has been very difficult to find 
out the points in his life. He deserves to be one of the 
best known charactei's in our histor}'-, but the fewest 
know anything of him whatever. 

He was born in Rowan county, North Carolina, ^ ex- 
actly where and when the writer has never been able to 
find out; graduated at Princeton College with A. B. de- 
gree in 1817 ;^ received the degree of A. M. between this 
and 1842 ; in 1854 given D. D. by the University of the 
State ;^ came to Guilford county about 1819 and became 
co-pastor of Buffalo and Alamance churches. Dr. David 
Caldwell had preached to these congregations for almost 
sixty years, but in 1820 he ceased to work as pastor and 
preacher. Mr. Caruthers at once became the full pastor 
of these charges ; and administered to both of them until 
1846. At this time Buffalo and Alamance dissolved. 
He remained with Alamance until July, 1861, at which 
time he was asked to resign. His members did not agree 
with his views on the Civil War. He felt that it was a 
vain attempt and expressed such views in private and in 
the pulpit. Many of his congregation were strongly in 
favor of it, and would not permit their noble and loyal 
pastor to speak opinions against it.* 

1. C. H. Wiley's Alamance Church. 

2. Diploma in Greensboro Female College Library. 

3. General Catalogue of the University of North Carolina, p. 240. 

4. Col. Joseph M. Morehead, Greensboro. 



lOS 'ITIK CHUKCH /VND PJ'JVATK 

lie \v;is ])astor at the same time tliat he was teaching 
at Greensboro ;ii)(l at Alamance. He died during No- 
vember, LSC);"), and was buried at Ahimance. During his 
whole life he was a strong ai'in of his chui'ch ;ind a great 
factor in his State's cultur(\ ]\r. and Dr. Oaldwell held 
the pastorate of Alamance Chui'ch for ninety-three yeai's. 
When liis chui'ch asked him to I'esign, they passed unani- 
mous r(!Solutions in behalf of his gi'eat ability and fidel- 
ity. He n(!V(!i' married, but- chose to spend all of his 
time in the uplifting of his fellow-men. He was modest 
still ])i'Ogressive, liberal a.n(l diligent, his life longJ 

Jle has maxle one of the few immortal luimes in the 
church and educational history of the State. Dr. David 
Caldwell can never die ; neither can he who has written 
his life and a [)ai't of tiie history of his timers. His first 
historical woi-k was The Life of Rev. David Caldwell, I). 
D., published by Swaim and Sherwood, Greensboj'o, 
North Carolina, in IH-fi. 'J'his is a very valuable woi"k. 
His second book was The Old North Sta,te in 1770 — 1st 
sei'ies, published in l(Sr)4. His third work a])peared in 
1856. It is known as The Old North State in 1770— 2nd 
series. It is the best written and most accurate of all of 
his woi'ks.2 

p:d('je\vortii female*; seminary. 

'^^I'his institution was opened formally in 1840, thougli 
its real beginning was about thirteen years earlier, liev. 
William D. Paisley moved to the little village of Greens- 
boi'O in 1820. He took charge of a male academy, and 
later one for girls. He was the oi'gaiiizer of the Pi'esby- 
terian Church in this towji.-' He built the liouse in 
vvdiich Mr. Kobei-t M. Sloan, who married liis ihii'd 
daughter, now lives. Just back of this house and be- 

I. (;. II. Wiley'.s Alamance Church. 

'_'. His throe books, found ill Homo lil)rario.s. 

:!. .1. C. Wharton, Greensboro I'atriol, Novcnibor -J.^^i, IHWfi. 



S(,:ll.(X>»LS oh' Noirril CAItolJNA. |()<) 

tvveeii (ilio present residences of Mrs. , J udt^c; Dillard ;uid 
Cxeor<^e Doinu^ll w;is an !u%i,df'niy ' foi- <.fii'ls, as early as 
1827. The lirsl, teacher in this ;i,s far as ca,n Ik; ascertained 
was Miss Judith Mcndcidiall. A(;c.()rdin<j,- to the 'JllJrd of 
Fel)iaiary iuind)er of th(! (irrctitiboro I\itriol, 1<S:M , Miss Ann 
J). Salmon, of Fayettc^vilh^ was in cliai-<j;(^ of tliis hiniale 
scliool. Then a Miss IJniphries taught in the same j)hic<' 
for a, shoi-t while. Miss Ma.ry Ann Iloye caine to take 
cl)ar^(; (hirin;^ th<! year IH.'^C). Sh(; in coinj^any with an- 
otlHM- youn<r lady, who aftcrwai'ds hecanie Mrs. Rohei-t 
(1. Lindsay, came fi-oin Alexandria, Vir;;inia. These (wo 
had char^^e of the female a,ca,demy for ahout thr(M; yeai-s. 
Their success was so j^i'c;a,t that John M. Morcihead, Oov- 
(irnor of Nortli Carolina 1811-1815 and one of the most 
nohle and illustrious characters of iIk; State, Ixicame 
int(!n!sted in female education. Miss Iloyo had made 
such a fin(! impi-ession on his daji«4hters while in the 
academy, that he at on<M( detei-mined to (u'ecl a, line hnild- 
in^ foi' I he pui'pose of hi<(hei" lemalc; (!duca,tion in Norlh 
Carolina and lln; South. ^ l)r. N(!r(Mis MeiuhndiaJI , in 
Ills sketch of the N(!W (Jarfhui Boa,rdin;^ School, nia,k(!s 
the sta.lenieni that Mr. .Morehead hnilt l"id;;(!Worth he- 
cause his da,u<^ht<'i-s, who were not l*'ri(uids, could not 
enter this (^uakcM' scliool. During 18 10 he ])ur(;hase(l a, 
large ti-act of la,nd, (;.\'tendin;j; IVom the old honieslead of 
the Mehanes to that which is now the prop(!rty of (Ireens- 
boro Female ('ollege, from West Ma,rket street on the 
north to his home, Blandwood, on the south. At his 
own e.vpcnise In; (M'ccted a, hu'^e f()u?--s(()ry hrick huildinti;, 
witli all the conveniences for a school. It was hnilt ujjon 
the land now occupied by the residences of Mrs. fiov. A . 
M. Scales and Capt. Neil FJlington.'"* 

In 1840 Miss Iloye- becanu' lln; prineipal. The school 

1. .(. C. Wliarlon. (in-cuHhoro I'lil liot, .Iiiimiiry (1, 1K)»7. 

•Z. Li'lliT friiiii .MrH. K. (i. liliidHay; .VI<?HHrH. K. M. Sloan and I). K. (/'aldwill. 

H, (;alal(>KU('H ; \\i\<\. 



1 10 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

was a g-reat success from the very beginning. Pupils be- 
gan to come from many Southern States, iVom Texas to 
West Virginia. It was tlie intention of Mr. Morehead 
to make it one of the finest female schools in the whole 
country ; he spared neither time nor money for its suc- 
cess. However, it was not a money making concern to 
him. Among the early teachers with Miss Hoye were 
Misses Emily Hubbai-d and Eliza Rose of the literary 
department, Misses Nash and Kollock of Music and 
French, Rev. John A. Gretter of Latin, and Profs. Breitz 
and Brant of Music. In 1844 Miss Hoye died, and Dr. 
and Mrs. D. P. Weir took charge. Dr. Weir managed 
the business of the institution, also taught Chemistry 
and Natural Philosophy. They held the principalship 
for a short time only. Gov. Morehead secured the ser- 
vices of Rev. Gilbert Morgan and wife, of New York. 
They began their work early in 1845.^ M]-. Morgan at 
once changed the course of studies, and introduced a 
collegiate system in the place of the academy curriculum 
then in operation. He seems to have understood the 
best methods of training and teaching, though it is said 
that his discipline was not correct nor well carried out. 
He, like those who preceded and followed him, was of 
tlie Pi'esbyterian church. However, the school was run 
on a non-denominational plan. 

According to an advertisement in the Greenshoro Pa- 
triot, under the date of February 1st, 1845, their course 
of studies was : first department — Davie's Arithmetic, 
Bullion's English, Latin and Greek Grammars, Town's 
Spelling Book and Analysis, Webster's 8 vo. Dictionary, 
Woodbi'idge and Willard's Geography, with the use of 
Mitchell's Outline Maps, History of the United States, 
Book of Commerce, Elements of Mythology, with lec- 



1. Mrs. R. G. Lindsay; Messrs. R. M. Slojiii and I). K. Caldwell ; (;i-i'ciisl)i)ri) Pa- 
triot, February 1, I&IS. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. HI 

tures on Jewish Antiquities, Watt's on the Mind, with 
lectures on Self-Knowledge and Self-Culture, the French, 
Latin or Greek Language, with one ornamental branch ; 
second department — Davie's Algebra, Legendre's Geom- 
etry, Newman's Rhetoric, Lincoln's Botany, Paley's 
Natural Theology, Ancient and Mediieval History, Bur- 
ritt's Geography of the Heavens, and Blair's Lectures; 
third department — Maffett's Natural Philosophy, with 
experiments. Critical Study of the English Language 
as the Vehicle of Thought — its Etymology, Lexicography 
and History, Abercrombie's Chapter on Reason, with 
lectures as a system of Practical Logic, Smillie on Nat- 
ural History, with lectures on Astronomy and Physi- 
ology, Alexander's Evidences; fourth department — 
Philosophy of Mind, Astronomy as a Science, Kame's 
Elements of Criticism, Critical Study of Milton and 
Shakespeare, Constitution of the United States, Princi- 
ples of Literpretation, Wayland's Moral Philosophy, 
Guizot on Civilization, Butler's Analogy, Lectures on 
the Harmony of Truth, or Method and Plan of Self-Edu- 
cation. There was also a preparatory department, to 
which girls of seven and eight could go for their training 
necessary to enter the first collegiate class. 

The first term began on the 28th day of May ; and the 
second one, on the 13th of November. At the close of 
the first session tlie examinations took place before a 
committee of visitors ; and the final examinations at the 
end of the year were public. The expenses per session of 
five months were: board, washing, fuel, lights and in- 
struction in the ordinary branches $75.00 ; Piano $20.00 
Guitar $15.00; Drawing and Painting, each $10.00 
Latin , Greek and French , each $10.00 ; Wax-work $10.00 
Shell-work $5.00 ; Silk and Worsted-work $5.00..i 



1. Greensboro Patriot. February 1st, 1845. Miss Lillian Weatherly, in tlie College 
Message, May, 189", gave these points. She obtained them from the same source as 
tlie writer. 



112 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

The school was prospei'ous at once after Mr. Morgan 
took charge. By 1848 the building had more than one 
hundred boarders, and had to be enlarged. In addition 
to building more rooms for pupils tliey at the same time 
erected an Art Studio. This is now the residence of 
Mrs. Lucy H. Robertson. Mr. Morgan resigned during 
1849-1850, and Pi-of. Richard Stei'ling, from Hampden- 
Sidrey College, Virginia, became principal. He was a 
fine teacher and won much success for the school. He 
served until 1862, when the doors were closed by the 
Civil War.i Soon after he took charge, the institution 
was at its highest j)oint. Pupils came from all over the 
South. There were as many as a hundred boarders, be- 
sides the day jiupils from town. There were ample 
scientific apparatus, a good library in the school, and a 
large one belonging to the principal. The course of 
studies was raised to a considerable extent. ^ Tlie terms 
were raised in proportion. According to the catalogue 
of 1856-1857, board, washing, lights, fuel and tuition in 
Englisli branches, amounted to one hundred dollars for 
five months. 

In order to instruct the large crowd well, it required a 
good number of trained teachers. The faculty for 1856- 
1857 were : Richard Sterling, A. M., principal and pro- 
fessor of Belles-Lettres and Physical Science ; Andrew J. 
Wood, A. B., professor of Ancient and Modern Lan- 
guages; Isaac B. Lake, A. B., professor of Mathematics 
and Geology ; Rev. J. J. Smyth, A. M., lecturer on Moral 
Science ; Miss Sarah J. Kollock, assistant in the English 
Department; J. Jaques Eyers, professor of Oil Painting 
and Drawing; Heinrich Schneider, professor of the 
Piano and Harp ; Miss Minna Raven, instructor in Piano 
and Vocal Music; Miss Bettie R. Scott, instructor in 



\. Mrs. R. G. Lindsay. 
i. Catalogue, 185t>-1857 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. H^ 

Piano and (xuitar ; Miss M. Lizzie Dusenberry, instructor 
in Piano ; Alfred M. Scales, steward ; Mi"s. A. M. Scales, 
matron.^ A Prof. Maurice held the French department 
for some time. J. R. Wharton, A. B., was professor of 
Mathematics in 1858 ;2 J. D. Campbell, A. M., was pro- 
fessor of Mathematics and Rhetoric in 1862. ^ Prof. 
Sterlinc^, in addition to the management of the school, 
found time to do a good deal of writing in the way of 
text-books, and in publishing his own and other works. 
He and Prof. Campbell wrote and published Our Own 
Third Reader in 18G3 ; and in 1866 The Southern Primer 
came from their hands. Prof. Sterling wrote and pub- 
lished Sterling's Southern Second Reader in 1866, and 
Sterling's Fourth Reader in I860. All of these were 
published by Sterling, Campbell and Albright, of Greens- 
boro."* 

There was no school in the building from 1862 to 1868. 
During the war the Confederates used it for a hospital ; 
and after the surrender it was occupied by the Federals 
for the same purpose. In 1868 the property was leased 
to Rev. J. M. M. Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell was a grand- 
son of Dr. David Caldwell, and had had a good deal of 
experience with schools. He had carried on a flourish- 
ing one at Rome, Georgia, prior to the Civil War, but 
during this time he had moved to Statesville, North 
Carolina, and for a short while ran a school there. 
From Statesville he came to Edgeworth. In September, 
1868, he opened up in this place. The faculty was com- 
posed of: Rev. J. M. M. Caldwell, principal, professor 
of Mental and Moral Science ; Mrs. C. E. Caldwell, lady 
principal, English Branches; S. J. Stevens, Mathe- 

1. Catalogue, 18o6-1857. This list is eiven by Miss Weatherly in College Jlcssage, 
May, 1897. She obtained it from the catalogue in the possession of the writer. 

2. J. R. Wharton, Greensboro. 

3. See books published by Sterling and Campbell. 

4. See their i)ul)licati()ns in Greensboro Female College Lilsrary. 



114 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

matics and Ancient Languages; S. C. Caldwell, Natural 
Sciences ; Miss Kate Pearson, English ; Mrs. Kliffmuller, 
Art; Pi-ofs. Silge and De Smit, Music. ^ Under these 
faithful workers the scliool again became prosperous. 
There were about ninety boarding and seventy-five day 
pupils. It continued until 1871, when Mr. Caldwell's 
school at Rome, Georgia, again demanded his attention. 
He left for that place in August, 1871 ; and Edgewortli 
was never again opened. The building was then used as 
a residence by Mr. Julius A. Gray, a son-in-law of Gov. 
Morehead ; and during the year 1872 it was burned.^ 

WAKRENTON FEMALE COLLEGE. 

Warren county is and has always been one of the 
finest in the State. The section of country between the 
Roanoke and Tar rivers has been noted for its variety of 
resources, its mild climate, and especially for its hospi- 
table and cultured people. "There were no Tories in 
Bute'' was a saying as true as it was common ; and 
Warren was formed from this in 1779. From this county 
have come many of North Carolina's greatest characters. 
This was the home of Hon. Nathaniel Macon, the most 
unique and distinguished public man in the State's 
whole history.-' There was a good academy at Warren- 
ton in the beginning of this century ; and its female 
schools from 1841 to about 1865 were known far and 
wide. There were two of these, and both became equally 
famous. However, that which was at first called War- 
renton Female Academy, and afterwards Warrenton Fe- 
male College, is a few years the older. 

This was founded as early as 1841, and was located on 



1. Letter from Mr. S. C. Caldwell, Tallahasso, Florida. 

2. Letter from Mr. S. C. Caldwell ; Mrs. R. (i. Lindsay, Messrs. R. M. Sloan, D. F. 
Caldwell and J. C. Wharton. 

3. Wheeler's Historieal Sketches, Vol. IL, pp. 423-440. 



sc;hools of north Carolina. 115 

the south side of the town. The trustees bought the 
private residence of Mr. Kemp Plummer for school pur- 
poses. To this they added the old Presbyterian Church 
as a chapel. Rev. N. Z. Graves, a Presbyterian preacher 
of Vermont, took charge as first principal. Mr. Julius 
Wilcox, who was Mrs. Graves' brother, was his assistant 
at first, and afterwards became his associate. Mrs. Sarah 
A. Nichols was engaged as music teacher. Messrs. Graves 
and Wilcox were both fine scholars and successful in- 
structors. The institution became prosperous imme- 
diately after its opening. In 184G Hon. Daniel Turner, 
who had been in the Congress of the United States for a 
short while, became principal of the academy; and 
Messrs. Graves and Wilcox built in the northern part of 
the town, and their school was called Warrenton Fe- 
male Collegiate Institute. 

Mr. Turner was a man of great ability and fine repu- 
tation. His wife was a daughter of Francis S. Key, the 
author of The Star Spangled Banner. Under them and 
their assistants the school grew very rapidly. They 
were made fine ofi'ers to go to California, and gave up 
the institution to a company of Warren's citizens in 
1856. The purchasers were : William Clanton, Henry 
Hunter, Sr., John Buxton Williams, Nathan Milan, Jo. 
Seawell Jones, John E. Boyd, Horace Palmer, Sr. They 
at once obtained a charter and changed the name to 
Warrenton Female College. These men were members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the 
school was from this on run as a Methodist institution.^ 

After the organization in 1856, Rev. Thomas S. Camp- 
bell, a member of the North Carolina Conference, be- 
came president. He had around him a large and strong 
faculty, among whom was Edwin E. Parham, M. A., 



1. Letters from Mrs. .Jo. Seawell Jones, Shocco Springs, Mrs. V. L. Pendleton and 
Mrs. M. J. Wilcox, Warrenton, North Carolina; catalogues of both schools. 



116 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

who two years afterwards became president. During 
this time more than one hundred pupils were in the in- 
stitution each year ; and they came from many Southern 
States. There was great rivahy between this and the 
sister Institute on the other side of the town. Each 
watched the other, and both were strengthened by the 
competition. Prof. Parham kept it up during most of 
the war, but left for other fields in 1866. Dr. Turner M. 
Jones removed Greensboro Female College to the build- 
ings during the latter part of the period from 1863 to 1873. 
The institution over which he presided at Greensboro 
had been burned and during the rebuilding he kept his 
school at Kittrel, Louisburg and Warrenton. When Dr. 
Jones came back to Greensboro in 1873, the school was 
closed; and was never afterwards reopened as a college. 
Mrs. Mary Williams and Miss Lucy Hawkins have been 
keeping in the buildings a private school of a high grade 
for some time. It had an extensive influence on the 
town, the county, the State and a good deal of the South. 
Its course of studies was about the same as the Institute, 
Edgeworth and Greensboro Female College.^ 

WARRENTON FEMALE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE. 

As has been stated, this school began in 1846. Messrs. 
Graves and Wilcox had already made a fine reputation 
in the Warrenton Female Academy ; and when they 
erected buildings of their own many of their former 
pupils came to them. This institution continued as a 
private affair. Luke Graves, M. A., came in about 1848, 
and became an associate with his brother and Mr. Wil- 
cox. In 1853 Edwin L. Barrett took his place, and the 
firm name became Graves, Wilcox and Company. In 



1. Mrs. Jo. Seawell Jones; Mrs. V. L. Pendleton; Mrs. M. J. Wilc-ox. Prof. John 
Graham, principal of Ridgeway High School, has been very kind in giving refer- 
ences. Prof. E. E. Parham, Murfreesboro. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. II7 

1859 Mr. Wilcox bought out Mr. Graves ; and the school 
was run by him as principal till his death, June, 1865. 
From that time until 1880, when the last collegiate ex- 
ercises were held, it was run by Mrs. M. J. Wilcox. It 
had as many as one hundred and twenty-five girls each 
year for a long while. Its pupils are scattered over the 
whole South, but most of them are to be found in North 
Carolina and Virginia. Its diploma graduates number 
one hundred and thirty-five ; and the gold medal grad- 
uates eighty-two.^ 

The students w^ere classed as first, second, junior and 
senior. The course of studies for diploma was : First 
class — Reading, Spelling, Geography, Arithmetic (Emer- 
son's First Part) , History of the United States, Natural 
History ; Second class — Arithmetic (Davies) , Geogra- 
phy, Penmanship, English Grammar, History of the 
United States, Spelling, French, Composition, Reading, 
Moral Lessons; Junior class — Arithmetic, Algebra 
(Davies), French, Latin, Greek, Rhetoric, Botany, 
Natural Philosophy, Composition, Chemistry, Reading; 
Senior class — Intellectual Philosophy (Abercrombie's) , 
Logic, Languages, Astronomy, Elements of Criticism, 
Moral Philosophy, Evidences of Christianity, Geology, 
Anatomy and Physiology, Geometry. There was also a 
course for graduation with gold medals. A rather ex- 
tensive course in music, drawing, painting and fancy 
work, was added for those who desired them.^ The cost 
of board, tuition in the regular department, washing, 
fuel and lights, per session, amounted to about eighty- 
five dollars. The expense of the extras was about the 
same as in Edgeworth and the other female schools of 
that time.^ 



1. Mrs. M. J. Wilcox and Mrs. Jo. Seawell Jones; catalogues. 

2. Catalogue, 18-56-1857, pp. 12-13. 

3. Ibid, p. 14. 



118 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

FLORAL COLLEGE. 

This institution was chartered in 1847 and, with a 
short interruption during the Civil War, was in success- 
ful operation for about forty years. The location was 
in Robeson county, about four miles from Maxton. The 
main building was large and convenient. In addition 
to this, there were the Steward's Hall and two smaller 
ones on the campus. It was under the Presbyterian in- 
fluence from its beginning. One of its first principals 
w^as Rev. John R. Mcintosh. He was at the same time 
pastor of the Centre Presbyterian Church, situated in 
the same grove. Rev. Daniel Johnson succeeded him, and 
carried it on till the war broke up the school.^ After the 
war it was conducted by Revs. Luther McKinnon, D. D., 
1865-66, and John H. Coble, Mr. J. Luther McLean and 
Rev. Arch Baker. Then several different teachers ran 
it for a short while each, until its close about fourteen 
years ago. At that time the original incorporators had 
died and the institution had become involved in debt. 
Since then it has changed hands, but has never amounted 
to anything as an institution of learning. For a long 
time it had an enrollment of about one hundred students. 
They came from Robeson and other neighboring coun- 
ties, and from several of the northern counties of South 
Carolina. At one time its, reputation was more than 
local and its influence was rather strong. - 

CAROLINA FEMALE COLLEGE. 

This school was located at Ansonville, about ten miles 
from Wadesboro. A joint stock company was formed in 
1849, and as a result of their work a large brick building 
was erected, at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. This 

1. Letter from Dr. H. G. Hill, Maxton. 

2. Letter from Dr. Hill, who was kind enough to look np several points. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 119 

building contained a large chapel and twenty-four large 
rooms. It was ready for use by 1850. The institution 
received a charter during this year, and by 1851 it was 
opened for the 'reception of students. Its first president 
was Rev. Alexander B. Smith , of Anson county. He served 
but one year and a half. Then Rev. Tracy R. Walsh 
took charge, and lield the position for ten years. The 
school was very successful for some time, but came very 
near being wrecked by the rivalry among the stockholders 
on political issues. It was suspended from 1862 to 1864. 
Rev. J. R. Griffith, of Virginia, was in charge for two 
years after this, and was in turn succeeded by Prof. 
James E. Blankinship. He held the presidency until 
1868, when the institution closed as a college. During 
a part of these years the institution was very prosperous, 
having as many as two hundred students. This, like 
Floral, had about the same course of studies as most of 
the schools of its kind at the time. 

x4.bout 1861 the stockholders gave the property to the 
South Carolina Methodist Episcopal Conference, upon 
the condition that the Conference would pay the ten 
thousand dollars' indebtedness incurred in adding rooms 
to the main building. However, only a very few coun- 
ties in South Carolina took any interest in it, and the 
money was never raised. Since it closed its doors as a 
college, it has been run part of the time as a high 
school.^ 

WESLEYAN FEMALE COLLEGE. 

Murfreesboro has for almost a half century had the 
reputation of being a cultured town. It has had two 
schools in its bounds, both of which have at times had 
more than a local influence — the Wesleyan Female Col- 



1. Prof. R. B. Clarke, the present principal of the High School ; Mr. T. A. Clarke^ 
one of the original stockholders. 



120 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

lege and the Chowan Baptist Female Institute. The 
first of these was oi^ened in 1853. Rev. Joseph H. 
Davis ^ presided over it for several years, and won some 
reputation for it. Revs. D. P. Wills, C." B. Riddick, J. 
D. Cowling, Paul Whitehead and W. G. Starr, ran it till 
it was burned, August 5th, 1877. It was rebuilt in 1881 ; 
and Prof. E. E. Parham, who had been at Warrenton 
for some time, took charge for eleven years. Rev. R. P. 
Troy, who had had a long experience in teaching at 
Pleasant Garden, Goldsboro and elsewhere, became 
president in 1892. It was again destroyed by fire. May 
27th , 1893. It was under the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South, and most of its presidents belonged to the North 
Carolina Conference. It was very flourishing for quite 
awhile before its first fire. It is estimated that as many 
as fifteen hundred students matriculated from 1853 to 
1877.-' 

THE FAYETTEVILLE FEMALE SEMINARY. 

This was built by a company of stockholders, largely 
of the town of Fayetteville. The corner-stone was laid 
June 9th , 1854. Rev. W. E. Pell , a prominent minister of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South, became the first 
principal. Mr. W. K. Blake followed him and held the 
position for some time ; and he was succeeded by Mr. 
Thomas Hooper, who carried it to its close at the break- 
ing out of the Civil War. Since that time the building 
has been used for many and various purposes. Col. T. 
J. Drewry has his military academy in it at the present. 
Its patronage was never very extensive and its impor- 
tance never great. It is one of the many female acade- 
mies or colleges that had their beginning in the period 



1, Deems' Annals of Southern Methodism, IHoT. p. 223. 

2. Letter from Mr. .T. M. Wynne, Murfreesboro; Rev. R. P. Troy, Greensboro. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 121 

preceding the Civil War, and for tliis reason has been 
mentioned.* 

WAYNE FEMALE COLLEGE. 

This institution beqjan in the town of Goldsboro in 
1834. The Borden Hotel building was used until 1857, 
when a large four-story brick house was erected. The 
original promoters were W. K. Lane, George A. Dudley, 
William Carraway and Nickey Nixon ; and when the 
new building was proposed, fifteen of Goldsboro 's best 
citizens took stock. Rev. James H. Brent was the first 
president, and served until the new building was about 
ready for use. Then Dr. S. Morgan Gloss served as 
president one year. Rev. S. Milton Frost was the pre- 
siding officer from 1857 to 1862. The school was then 
suspended until 1866, when Dr. Gloss revived it and ran 
it for three sessions. In 1868 the charter was changed, 
and after that it was known as Goldsboro Female Col- 
lege. Prof. E. W. Adams became president when Dr. 
Closs left the second time, and ran it till 1871, when it 
was closed as a college. Rev. N. Z. Graves, who had 
been connected with the schools in Warrenton for several 
years, had a private school in the building from 1871 to 
July, 1874. Manuel Fetter, who had been professor of 
Greek in the University of North Carolina from 1838 to 
1868, ran a small school in its buildings until 1879. 
Rev. R. P. Troy kept a classical and mathematical 
school till June, 1881, when the building was rented for 
the Graded School. - 

YADKIN COLLEGE. 

This was a venture made by the Methodist Protestant 
Church, and goes back to 1859 for its beginning. This 

1. Rev. L. L. Nash. D. D. ; Prof. J. H. Myrover, Fayetteville. 

2. Dr. J. F. Miller, Goldsboro; general catalogue of the University of North 
Carolina, p. 79; Rev. R. P.Troy; Deems' Annals of Southern Methodism, 18.57, pp. 
17-5-176. 



122 THE CHURCH A.ND PRIVATE 

church at the present is not very strong. It does not 
have a large membership, nor is it especially rich. 
However, it has many strong and consecrated members. 
It has not been able to do a great deal of work in the 
way of schools, especially in North Carolina. Neverthe- 
less, many of its members have fine culture and educa- 
tion. It has a few good schools; Western Maryland 
College at Westminster, Maryland, is an instance. This, 
like the other churches, has felt the great need of having 
a school of its own ; and this demand showed itself very 
strong during the years just before the Civil War. That 
was a time of many educational beginnings. 

For several years prior to 1856, Revs. Alsan Gray, W. 
H. Wills and John F. Speight, leaders of the church, 
debated the question of establishing a college, in which 
the members could educate their sons. About this time 
Jamestown Female College was put in operation by some 
of the leading members of this church. It did not run 
long before it was burned down, nor was it ever rebuilt. 
Several plans were offered, but it was finally decided to 
locate a college in North Carolina. Mr. Henry Walser, 
who lived in the western part of Davidson county, made 
them the best offer. The North Carolina Conference of 
the Methodist Protestant Church in 1855 accepted Mr. 
Walser's offer, and decided to build near his home. 
Henry Walser, D. L. Michael, J. C. Crump and Rev. 
Jordan Rominger, at once began to erect a brick build- 
ing, two stories high, and forty by sixty feet. Mr. Walser, 
however, was the liberal giver in the building enterprise. 
The site chosen was about eleven miles west of Lexing- 
ton and three miles from Advance, the nearest depot. ^ 

The school was first named Yadkin Institute. George 



1. Rev. J. N. Garrett, Yadkin College, who has given the writer much assistance; 
Mr. E. E. Raiier, Lexington. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 123 

W. Hege, A. B., was the first principal ; and the school 
was opened in October, 1856. He ran it as a high school 
until February 22nd, 1861, when it was chartered as 
Yadkin College. Revs. Alsan Gray, A. W. Lineberry, 
David Weisner, Jordan Rominger, Thomas H. Pegram, 
Alexander Robbins, and Henry Walser, J. A. Davis, D. 
L. Michael, George W. Hege, and B. F. Smith, were made 
trustees. Mr. Hege was elected the first president. He 
served with great credit till the war broke up the school. 
At this time there were about eighty pupils, many of 
whom came from a distance. At least three-fourths of 
these volunteered into the Confederate service, hence the 
numbers were decreased so that operations were sus- 
pended.^ 

In 1867 H. T. Phillips with the assistance of F. T. 
Walser reorganized the institution, and ran it as a high 
school until 1873. His success was good. Rev. J. C. 
Deans went in as an associate in 1871 ; and the two put 
new force into the institution. In 1873 S. Simpson, A. 
B., was elected president. He was a man of untiring 
energies, and put in as his assistants earnest teachers. 
He continued with considerable success till 1884. Dur- 
ing his administration there was an annual enrollment 
of about sixty students ; and these came from Virginia, 
North Carolina and South Carolina. Many of the pupils 
of those times have become leaders. Hon. Z. V. Walser, 
the present Attorney-General of North Carolina, and E.- 
E. Raper, are illustrations. A new building, at a cost of 
about seven thousand dollars, was erected by President 
Simpson ; and many other improvements were made. 
He resigned and went to Western Maryland College, where 
he is still a professor. When he left the college closed. 
Rev. A. R. Morgan became principal of a high school in 



1. Rev. J. N. Garrett and Mr. E. E. Raper. 



124 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

the college building in 1887, and remained till 1889. 
At that time George W. Holmes, A. B., took charge ; 
and he still runs the school.^ 

From a catalogue the following course is taken : Fresh- 
man Class, first term — Latin Grammar, Greek Grammar, 
Practical Arithmetic, Geography, Composition, Latin 
Exercises ; second term — Latin Grammar, Csesar, Xeno- 
phon's Anabasis, Greek Grammar, Higher Arithmetic, 
Elementary Algebra; Sophomore Class, first term — 
Latin Grammar, Vergil, Ovid, Herodotus, Geometry, 
United States History, Natural Philosophy, University 
Algebra; second term — Orations of Cicero, Demos- 
thenes de Corona, Astronomy, Trigonometry, Univer- 
sity Algebra, German Grammar, French Grammar; 
Junior Class, first term — Sallust, Homer's Hiad, Chem- 
istry, Rhetoric, German Reader, Telemaque, Analytical 
Geometry ; second term — Cicero de Officiis, Thucydides, 
Navigation and Surveying, Chemistry, French and Ger- 
man Extracts, Lectures on Rhetoric, General History ; 
Senior Class, first term — Tacitus, Geology, Metaphysics, 
Mathematical Astronomy, English Literature, Logic; 
second term — Classical Mythology and Antiquities, Lec- 
tures on International Law, Olmstead's Mechanics, 
Shakespeare's Plays, Higher English. 

CHARLOTTE FEMALE INSTITUTE. 

This institution was organized and opened during the 
fall of 1857. Rev. Robert Burwell, D. D., and his wife, 
who had had a select school in Hillsboro for twenty 
years previous, took charge. The citizens of Charlotte 
erected a commodious building. A good faculty was 
selected ; and they began work with great enthusiasm. 
Much success came to the school. By 1859 an addition 

1. Rev. J. N. Garrett and Mr. E. E. Raper. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 125 

had to be made to the building, and the teaching force 
was enlarged by bringing in J. B. Burwell, a son of the 
principal. Young Mr. Burwell graduated from Hamp- 
den-Sidney College in 1853, and since his graduation 
had been teaching in boys' schools in Virginia. The 
school was kept up by them until 1872, when they moved 
to Raleigh and took charge of Peace Institute. In the 
fall of 1871 S. J. Stevens, who had made quite a reputa- 
tion in Edgeworth Seminary, was added to the faculty. ^ 

When the Burwells moved to Raleigh, Rev. R. H. 
Chapman became principal. He carried on the school 
for about two and a half years, and was succeeded by 
Rev. Taylor Martin, In 1878 Rev W. R. Atkinson took 
charge. He had been for some time a teacher in Peace 
Institute. He kept it up for several years, and then 
went to Columbia, South Carolina. The institute then 
closed its doors. About one year ago its name was 
changed to Presbyterian College ; and Miss Lillie Long 
is now^ building it up again. ^ 

Its advertised course of studies was very much the 
same as in most of the schools of its kind already con- 
sidered. Though most of its teachers were Presbyterians, 
still it was a jDrivate rather than a church school.^ 

THOMASVILLE FEMALE COLLEGE. 

This was begun February 8th, 1857, under the name 
of Glen Anna Female Seminary.* However, its real be- 
ginning goes back as far as 1849 under the title of The 
Sylva Grove Female Seminary. Mrs. Charles Mock ran 
it with success for some time. While she was at its head, 
it was a prei3aratory school to Greensboro Female Col- 



1. Capt. J. B. Burwell, Statesville; catalogues. 

2. Catalogues. 

3. Ibid. 

i. Catalogue, 1858. 



126 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

lege.i After her Rev. Charles Force Deems, of the North 
Carolina Conference, had control of it. In his journal 
of 1852, under the date of September 18th, he states that 
he had bought the Mock place ; and under the date of 
September 25th says that he had changed the name to 
Glenanna in honor of his wife. On December 24th he 
states that Miss Branson will open the school in January, 
1853.2 He secured a regular charter for it in 1855, a,nd 
ran it for a short time thereafter. 

Mr. John W. Thomas built the present building at a 
cost of twelve thousand dollars. He placed it upon a 
sure footing and secured for it a large faculty, though he 
did not teach himself. Miss P. L. Lathop was principal 
in 1858. She had as her assistants : Misses Mary E. 
Nelson, Sallie Winkler, M. C. Shelly, C. Cunningham 
and Jennie Thomas. ^ There were as many as one hun- 
dred and fifty pupils at the breaking out of the Civil 
War. Through the great energy and correct judgment 
of Mr. Thomas it was kept up through those stormy 
times. In 1867 its name w^as changed to Thomasville 
Female College. It ran on with considerable success 
until 1873, when it was closed for some time in conse- 
quence of the death of Mr. Thomas.* 

In 1874 the property was purchased by Prof. H. W. 
Reinhart. He ran it for ten years as sole proprietor, 
and wath a large amount of success. In 1884 Rev. J. N. 
Stallings bought a half interest and became co-principal.^ 
The institution continued here until March, 1889, when 
the whole plant, faculty and students, were tranferred 
to High Point. ^ For some time before this the school 
had been going down, and Mr. Stallings was made offers 

1. Greensboro Patriot. June 30. 18-11). 

2. Charles Farce Deems, by his Sons, pp. 113-115. 

3. Catalogue. 1858. 

4. Ibid, 1878-1879. 

5. Ibid, 1883-1881. 

(i. Catalogue of High Point Female College, 1891-1892. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 127 

to move it to High Point. On the 11th day of March, 
1889, the High Point Female College received a charter ; 
and on the 15th of the same month the school was trans- 
ferred to its new quarters. It was kept up here for 
about four years only and then closed its doors. It had 
served for a long while, and its service was fairly good. 
As many as a dozen teachers were connected with it dur- 
ing half of its existence. Its course of studies was equally 
as high as in any female school of those times. It was 
a private institution from its beginning, and its princi- 
pals were of different churches. 

JUDSON COLLEGE. 

This institution deserves mentioning more for the 
great attempt that was made rather than for what it ac- 
complished. As early as 1858 the Baptist west of the 
Blue Ridge began to work up a college for girls. The 
Salem Association, which met at Old Salem Church, 
August 6th, 1858, considered the matter, and pledged 
about nine hundred dollars for the building. A little 
later that year the Western Convention adopted the col- 
lege and appointed trustees. The name of Henderson- 
ville Female College was agreed on. At the next con- 
vention it was reported that the building had been let to 
the contractor at a cost of $11,089. However, it was a 
long time before this building was ready for occupancy. 
In October, 1882, it was completed; and it had cost 
about $15,000. During this long period of building the 
name was changed three or four times. It was at one 
time known as the Western North Carolina Female Col- 
lege, and at another Judson Female College, and finally 
Judson College. 1 

Rev. J. B. Boone, with four or five teachers, ran the 

1. Catalogue. 11S90-1S91 ; Tlie North Carolina Journal of Education. December. 
Ib91, pp. 67-Oit. 



128 'J-'HE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

institution from its beginning to June, 1889. They vron 
some success, though tlie patronage was local in most 
cases. Dr. R. H. Lewis, A. M., was elected president 
in June, 1889, and managed it for three years. He had 
been teaching for about thirty years. He had taught in 
Cumberland, Warren, Granville, Lenoir and Henderson 
counties; also in Oxford Female Seminary, Kinston 
College and the University Normal School. He had 
been teaching in Kinston since 1877 ; and he still runs 
a select school there. When he undertook the principal- 
ship of Judson, he surrounded himself with five good 
teachers and began the work with much promise. They 
offered a rather high course of studies, and granted A. 
B. and A. M. degrees ; and these were open to both sexes. 
The enrollment during the second year of his adminis- 
tration was about one hundred and twenty. These came 
from Buncombe, Edgecombe, Haywood, Henderson, 
Jackson, Madison, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Swain, 
and Yancey counties. The debt incurred on the building 
had never been paid, and the whole plant was sold under 
mortgage in 1892 ; and since then it has been used as a 
pi'ivate school and for hotel purposes.^ 

HORNER AND GRAVES. 

This, like Bingham, was one of the very best equipped 
boy's schools of its time. It was first opened at Oxford 
in 1851 by James H. Horner, A. M., LL. D.^ Mr. Horner 
was a pupil of the Bingham School and graduated at the 
University of North Carolina with A. B. degree in 1844.* 
He was the sole principal until 1870, when R. H. Graves, 
Sr., A. M., came in with him. Mr. Graves had grad- 

1. Catalogue, 189(.i-1891; The North Carolina Journal of Education, p. (IT; letter 
from Dr. Lewis, Kinston. 

2. Catalogue of Horner's School, 1897-1898. 

S. General Catalogue of University of- North Carolina, p. M«. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 129 

uatecl at the University with A. B. in 1836 ; was a tutor 
of mathematics in the same 1837-1843 ; and for some 
time after this was a teacher in the same department in 
Caldwell Institute, of Hillsboro.^ The school under the 
name of Horner and Graves remained in Oxford until 
1871. In January of this year they moved to Hillrfboro. 
Col. Charles C. Tew had founded the Hillsboro Militar}'^ 
Academy in 1859, and canied it on with fair success 
until the Civil War was in full blaze. In consequence 
of his death at Sharpsburg and the decline of the military 
spirit at the close of the war, the school was never re- 
opened as a military institution. Mrs. Tew died in 1870, 
and in 1872 Mr. Paul C. Cameron, of Hillsboro, bought 
the property. The location was excellent and the build- 
ing well suited for a boy's school. He made offers to 
Horner and Graves, whose success at Oxford had been 
much more than local. They accepted his offers and 
transferred their training school to Hillsboro. ^ How- 
ever, they did not continue together there but two years, 
when Mr. Horner went back to his old place. Mr. Graves 
carried on the school for about two years after the sepa- 
ration. ^ 

This school, though of but short life, had a strong in- 
fluence in training boys for college. The course of 
studies was high, and the manner of discipline rigid. 
The faculty was strong: J. H. Horner, A. M.; R. H. 
Graves, A. M. ; Hugh Morson, Jr.; R. H. Graves, Jr., 
B. Sc, C. and M. E.; Maj. D. H. Hamilton; A. W. 
Venable, Jr. Mr. Morson has been in the Raleigh Male 
Academy for a long time ; Mr. Graves afterwards became 
the famous mathematical professor in the University of 
North Carolina.'^ 



1. General Catalogue of University of North Carolina, p. i:i4. 

2. Our Living and Our Dead, Vol. I., pp. 498-500 
a. Letter from Profs. J. C. and J. M. Horner. 

4. Catalogue, 1874-1875; General Catalogue of the University, p. 134. 



130 THE CHURCH A.ND PRIVATE 



WILSON COLLECxIATE INSTITUTE. 

Rev. Charles Force Deems, D. D., who was president 
of Greensboro Female College from 1850 to 1854^ and 
was connected with several more North Carolina schools 
at different times, was the first principal. Immediately 
after the session of the North Carolina Conference in 
1858, the citizens of Wilson made an appeal to Dr. 
Deems to establish a school for boys and girls at that 
place. They erected buildings at a cost of about ten 
thousand dollars and supplied them with seven thousand 
dollars' worth of furniture. They gave Dr. Deems two- 
thirds of all this property, and proposed to pay his ex- 
penses on a trip to Europe.^ The scliool was dedicated 
January 13th, 1859, under the name of St. Austin's In- 
stitute ; and the first session began on the 17th of the 
same month. By the close of this session eighty-two 
girls and ninety-three boys had enrolled. Miss Mary 
Wade Speed was principal of the girl's seminary ; and 
Capt. James D. Radcliff had control of the boys. Courses 
in English, Mathematical and Classical branches were 
offered. Dr. Deems remained at its head for four years. ^ 

Then D. S. Richardson, A. M., had charge for a short 
while, until the school was suspended by the war. The 
buildings were used for a hospital by the Confederate 
army. After the war Mr. Richardson came back and 
ran it for about four years. He was followed by E. M . 
Nadal. In 1871 Warren and William Woodard bought 
the property; and Sylvester Hassell, A. M. , became 
principal in January, 1872. He was at its head until 



1. Catalogue of Greensboro Female College, 1894-1895, p. 4 ; Charles Force Deems, 
by his Sons, p. 108. 

2. Charles Force Deems, by his Sons, pp. 151-153; letter from Rev. Sylvester Has- 
sell, Williamston. 

3. Charles Force Deems, by his Sons, pp. 155-156. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 13] 

1886. Then Silas E. Warren purchased the property, 
and was its principal until his death, 1894.^ 

Mr. Hassell was a man of fine native ability and cul- 
ture. His school was a high grade academy at first, 
but was afterwards changed into a college, under the 
name of Wilson College. His pupils came from many 
of the counties of the northeastern part of the State. He 
gave them a fine and extensive training in most of the 
branches then taught in the smaller colleges. The in- 
stitution by the name of Wilson College was the result 
of the union of the Institute and the Female Seminary. 
The Seminary had for some time been run by John De 
Berniere Hooper, A. B., A. M. , assisted at one time by 
Rev. William Hooper, D. D. Mr. John DeB. Hooper 
ranks among the finest teachers the State has produced. 
He had a service in this line for foi'ty-one years ; was 
professor of Latin and French 1838-1848, and of Greek 
and French 1875-1885, in the University of North Caro- 
lina; was twenty-one years in private school work.^ 

The faculty in 1875 was: Sylvester Hassell, A. M., 
president, Physics, Ethics ; J. B. Brewer, A. M., Mathe- 
matics, Chemistry; J. H. Foy, Ancient and Modern 
Languages; D. G. Gillespie, Book-keeping, Banking; 
E. M. Nadal, Mathematics; Miss Mollie A. Southall, 
Music; Mrs. J. B. Brewer, instructor in Music; Miss 
Bettie A. Chandler and Mrs. S. N. Biggs, English 
branches; Miss Bertha Tripp, Drawing, Painting.^ 



1. Letter from Rev. Sylvester Hassell ; Mr. T.J. Hadley, Wilson. 

2. Dr. Dred Peacock; General Catalogue of the University of North Carolina, 
pp. 53.79 and 149. 

H. Catalogue of Wilson College, J87.5-1876, 



132 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 



Chapter IV.— Schools of the Present. 



In this, as in the last chapter, only the schools of 
more than local importance will be considered. There 
have been many worthy high grade schools that the 
writer can not speak of in this short sketch. Besides 
the numerous academies that can not be mentioned, 
there are many church or private institutions making 
battle against the powers of darkness still in the Old 
North State. Among these are representatives of each 
church — Baptist, Presbyterian, Quaker, Methodist, Epis- 
copal, German Reformed, Lutheran, Christian, Catholic. 
In each the school can not be considered correctly without 
taking note of the church ; nor would the church amount 
to very much without the school's influence. They have 
both grown side by side, and into and out of each other. 
These will be treated in the order of the time oi their 
opening. 

WAKE FOREST COLLEGE. 

This is distinctly a Baptist school. It stands at the 
head of all the other institutions of this denomination, 
and is the equal of any of the church institutions of the 
State. Its history has been insepei-ably connected wdth 
the growth and development of the Baptist church. In 
order to present the real conditions and circumstances 
under which the school was born and has grown, a very 
brief sumimary of the early history of this church will be 
given. 

As early as 1695 there were some of this faith to be 
found among the colonists of North Carolina.^ Some 



1. History of Grassy Creek Bapti.st Church, p. 17 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 133 

came for adventure, and others for religious liberty, 
Tlie first church was organized by Paul Palmer in 1727 ; 
and this was on the Pasquotank river, now known as 
Shiloh Church.^ This at once became very active. Its 
members soon organized many churches in Gates, 
Chowan, Perquimans, Pasquotank, Camden and Curri- 
tuck counties. In 1729 the second church was gathered 
together at Meherrin, near Murfreesboro.^ In 1758 
the Sandy Creek Association was formed in Randolph 
county with nine churches. This is the oldest associa- 
tion in the State and the fourth in age in the United 
States. 2 In 1765 the Kehukee Association was formed 
in Halifax county* with eight churches. Four years 
later the Grassy Ci-eek Association was organized in 
Granville county. This county was then, and has been 
.since, full of Baptists. Until 1770 the Sandy Creek As- 
sociation included South and North Carolina and Vir- 
ginia, but at the Convention of October (14th) of the 
same year a division was made ; and the churches of this 
State continued under the Sandy Creek Association.^ 

Their growth was i'apid until the battle of Alamance, 
not far from Sandy Creek Church. After this the strong 
measures of Gov. Tryon drove about fifteen hundred 
families from this section ; and the church was at a 
stand still for some time. During the Revolution many 
of the leaders of this church took a very active part. In 
the very first of this century a great revival swept over 
the State, and many additions were made to all of the 
churches of this denomination. About this time a move- 
ment was begun to unite all of the churches of this 
State into one organization for the purpose of education 

1. History of Grassy Creek Baptist Church, p. 17; Rev. .1. D. Hufham, D. D.^ 
Biblical Recorder, December H, 1897. 

2. Dr. Hufham, Biblical Recorder. 

3. History of Sandy Creek Baptist Association, p. 62. 

4. Ibid. p. 42; History of Kehukee Baptist Association, pp. 27-31. 
6. Hi.story of Grassy Creek Baptist Church, pp. 72-74. 



134 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

and missions ; and this was accomplished al>out twenty- 
seven years later, when the Baptist State Convention 
and Board of Missions were organized at Greenville in 
1830.1 

It was during the latter part of this attempt to unite 
on missionary and educational work that there came 
about the schism. Until 1825 all the Baptists had be- 
lieved in missions and Sunday schools as far as these 
ideas were then known, but from this until 1830 there 
gradually grew an opposition party. This opposition 
named itself Primitive Baptists, though in reality it is 
the younger, and the progressive side assumed the name 
of Missionary Baptists. ^ The opposition has always 
been opposed to culture and progressive industry, hence 
is very weak. It has had no schools, and its influence 
has amounted to very little. On the other hand the real 
Baptists have taken unto themselves the light and power 
of the school-room. They have grown in numbers and 
strength until they are to-day about the strongest relig- 
ious power in North Caroliria ; and this State, with three 
hundred thousand of this faith, is the greatest Baptist 
Commonwealth in the Union. ^ 

During the struggle for State organization for educa- 
tional purposes a number of strong and heroic preachers 
took part: Samuel Wait, John Armstrong, Thomas 
Meredith, J. Culpepper, W. R. Hinton, A. J. Battle, N. 
Richardson, James McDaniel, T. D. Armstrong, John 
Purefoy, Eli Phillips, W. H. Merrit, P. W. Dowd, J. 
Lowell, William Burch, William Dowd, J. Goodman, 
Joel GuUedge, W. P. Biddle, James Dennis, Eli Carrol, 
Thomas Crocker, John Monroe, John Kerr, William 
Warrell, W. H. Jordan, Q. H. Trotman, G. W. Hufham, 
George Fennel, William Hooper, G. W. Thompson, D. 

1. Dr. Hufham, Biblical Recorder, December 8, 1837, 

2. History of Grassy Creek Baptist Cliurch, p. 93. 

». .J. W. Baily, Editor Biblical Recorder, Address at Wilmington, May .s. lSi)7. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 135 

S. Williams, A. J. Spivey, Josiali CrutUip.' They did 
well their parts, and Wake Forest College owes its 
founding to them. Through the efforts of different ones 
of this number the Chowan, Neuse and Raleigh Mis- 
sionary Societi(>s and the North Carolina Benevolent 
Society were organized previous to 1830. During March 
(26-29) of the same year these united to form the State 
Convention. 2 

This Convention held its first meeting at Cross-Roads 
Church, Wake county, in 1831. There were fifty-one 
delegates present, from about twenty counties.^ It was 
reported that $819.90 had been collected during the 
year for education and missions. Revs. Samuel Wait, 
Thomas Meredith, William Hooper and John Armstrong 
were the leaders of this Convention ; and they were 
deeply imbued with the educational spirit. The follow- 
ing resolution was passed: "Resolved, that the Con- 
vention accept the offer of Elder John Armstrong to 
educate young men of the ministry, and that the Board 
of the Convention be authorized to send such young men 
as they approve to him (he having been a teacher since 
his coming to North Carolina) or to some school, and to 
defray their expenses as far as the funds of the Conven- 
tion will admit."'* 

At the Convention of 1832 a proposition was made to 
establish a school of their own on the manual labor plan. 
Dr. Calvin Jones had a fine farm in Wake county of six 
hundred and fifteen acres, valued at $2,500. He was 
a liberal man as well as a believer in education, and 
offered to give $500 on his farm, provided the church 
would raise the other $2,000. J. G. Hall, W. R. Hinton, 



1. J. S. Purefoy, Wake Forest Student, Vol. VI.. p. ISl. 
•2. Ibid. p. 182. 

3. Ibid, p. 182. 

4. Memoir of Rev. John L. Pritcliard, pp. 19-23; J. S. Purefoy. Wake Forest Stu- 
ent. Vol. VI., p. 182. 



136 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

John Purefoy, A. S. Wynne and S. J. Jeffreys were ap- 
pointed a committee to obtain the required money with 
which to purchase the farm.^ At the Convention of 
the next year, which met at Dockery's meeting-house in 
Richmond county, Stephen A. Graham, Joseph B. Out- 
law, Alfred Dockery, David Thompson and Samuel S. 
Biddle were made a committee to secure a charter for 
Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute,^ to be located on 
Dr. Jones' farm, sixteen miles from Raleigh. 

The charter for Wake Forest Institute was secured 
with a good deal of difficulty. The legislature of 1833- 
1834 had a lai'ge number of members opposed to the 
Baptist doctrine and church. For a while it seemed 
that the charter would not be gi'anted. However, after 
much discussion it passed the lower house. When it 
was brought to a vote in the senate there was a tie, but 
the speaker, Hon. William D. Moseley, an alumnus of 
the University of North Carolina, cast his vote in favor 
of the institution. Though a charter was granted, it 
was a meager aifair. The trustees were not allowed to 
hold more than fifty thousand dollars of real and per- 
sonal estate ; and this was subject to taxation. Too, the 
charter was only of twenty years' duration.^ 

Rev. Samuel Wait, D. D., was the real founder and 
first president of the institution. According to the 
statement made in the general catalogue, he was elected 
in 1832. Dr. Smith, on page 102 of his History of Edu- 
cation in North Carolina, says that the election took 
place May 10, 1833. The school was not opened till 
February, 1834.^ Dr. Wait was born in Washington 
county, New York, December 19th, 1789. He graduated 

1. J. S. Purefoy, Wake Forest Student, Vol. VI., p. 183. 

2. Ibid, Vol. VI., p. 183; Vol. XV., p. 201. 

3. Catalogue of Wake Forest College, 1889-1890, copy of the Charter; J. S. Pure, 
foy. Wake Forest Student, Vol. VI., p. 184. 

4. General Catalogue of Wake Forest College, p. 3; Memoir of Rev. John L. 
Pritchard, p. 23; J. S. Purefoy, Wake Forest Student, Vol. VI., p. 184. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 137 

at the Columbian College, Washington, D. C. It is said 
that he was a tutor for some time in the same institu- 
tion, and that he came South to obtain money for the 
college. The Newbern church called him as their pastor 
in 1827.^ He was very active in the cause of general 
culture and education in his adopted State. He had 
much to in organizing the State Convention and the 
Board of Missions. In connection with Rev. Thomas 
Meredith he labored for the church newspaper, The Bap- 
tist Interpreter , which was first published at Edenton in 
1833 ; this was transferred to Newbern the next year and 
had its name changed to Biblical Recorder ; and from 
there it came to Raleigh in 1838, where it has since re- 
mained.^ 

His services to the infant school, of which he was the 
head for about eleven years, wei-e arduous and distin- 
guished. He had begun with $169 and twenty-five boys. 
When he gave up the presidency, he had erected a large 
brick building at a cost of .$15,000, increased the patron- 
age many fold and changed the little institute into a 
college. After his resignation, he was president of the 
Oxford Female Seminary from 1851 to 1857 ; and served 
the churches in Caswell county as pastor till, his death, 
July 28th, 1867.3 He was president of the board of 
trustees of Wake Forest from 1845 to 1866.'* 

Along with Dr. Wait in the early struggle was Rev. 
John Armstrong. He became financial agent at the 
same time that Dr. Wait assumed the principalship ; and 
was the teacher of Ancient Languages from 1835 to No- 
vember, 1837.^ A new l)ui]ding was needed at once, 
and subscriptions for the same were begun in February, 



1. Smiths' History of Education in Nortli Carolina, p. 1C2. 
■2. Dr. Hufham, Biblical Recorder, December 8, 1897. 

3. J. B. Brewer, Wake Forest Student, Vol. XV., pp. 201-211 ; J. S. Purefoy, Wake 
Forest Student. Vol. VI., p. 182; Smiths' History pf Education, p. 102. 

4. General Catalogue, p. 9. 

5. Ibid, p. 18. 



138 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

1885. C. W. Skinner and D. S. Williams gave $500 
each; and Mr. Armstrong obtained about $17,000 in 
subscriptions. The trustees gave out the contract for a 
building at a cost of $15,000. Before the building was 
completed great financial depression spread over the 
country. By November, 1836, they were in debt $2,- 
010.55. In 1838 Dr. Wait took the field as agent, while 
Rev. J. B. White became president ^^ro tern. On January 
2nd, 1841, they secured $10,000 as a loan from the 
literary fund of the State. This put them in better cir- 
cumstances, though the debt on the old building was not 
entirely paid until 1849. Rev. J. S. Purefoy was the 
great force in this financial crisis.^ 

The manual labor idea was a failure, and was aban- 
doned in 1838. The labor of the student was worth but 
three cents an hour and amounted to very little. The 
idea was better than the remuneration to the student. 
The first circular of expenses was : board $5 per month ; 
tuition in Latin and Greek $2 ; English branches $1.50 ; 
washing 75 cents — total for ten months $92.50.^ By an 
act of the legislature the charter was amended and the 
name changed to Wake Forest College, December 28th, 
1838. This amendment gave them far greater privileges. 
The time was extended fifty years and the trustees could 
hold $250,000 free from taxes. When the college came 
into existence, the courses and terms were raised. ^ 
According to their circulars of 1839 the expenses per 
year were : tuition $45 ; room rent $2 ; bed and bedding 
$4 ; wood $2 ; servants' hire $2; deposit for repairs $2. 
Board and washing could be had for $8 per mouth.'* 

Dr. Wait resigned November 26th, 1844; and Rev. 



1. General Catalogue, p. 4; J. B. Brewer, Wake Forest Student. Vol. XV., pp. 
201-210. 

2. J. S. Purefoy, Wake Forest Student, Vol. VI., pp. 184-185. 

3. Catalogue, 1889-1890, copy of Amendment. 

4. (iiven also 1jy Smith, History of Education, p. 105. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 139 

William Hooper, D. D., LL. D., was elected his successor 
October 17th, 1845. He assumed control at the begin- 
ning of the next year.^ He was a conspicuous character 
in the teaching profession, having served with great 
ability for sixty-six years ; was a grandson of William 
Hooper, the signer of the Declaration of Independence ;2 
born near Wilmington, North Carolina, 1782 ; took from 
the University of North Carolina A. B. in 1809, A. M. in 
1812 and D. D. in 1857; was professor of Ancient Lan- 
guages in the same 1817-22 and 1828-37, of Rhetoric 
and Logic 1825-28 ; was a professor in the South Caro- 
lina College for a time before becoming president of 
Wake Forest.^ Dr. Hooper held the presidency but two 
years. However, he did much in this short time. He 
gave assistance in rescuing the institution from the 
great debt that had been incurred, though it was about 
one year after his resignation that this was joaid in full, 
His work in the Convention for the organization, as a 
trustee and as a president, was alike distinguished. 

Rev. John B. White, D. D., was elected the third 
president in 1849, and held the position until June, 
1852, when Prof. W. H. Owen was president p?-o tern for 
two years."* It was during the first year of Dr. White's 
administration that the indebtedness was paid and a 
small endowment fund begun. ^ 

Washington Manly Wingate, D. D., became president 
in June, 1854, and was the head and guide until his 
death, February 27th, 1879. '^ He was the greatest presid- 
ing officer this institution has ever had. He brought it 
from a small college with little equipment and practically 
no endowment to the front rank of Southern colleges. 



1. General Catalogue of Wake Forest College, pp. 3 and 18. 

2. General Catalogue of the University of J^ortli Carolina, p. -53. 

3. Ibid, pp. 79-80 and 149. 

4. General Catalogue, pp. 3-4. 

5. J. B. Brewer, Wake Forest Student, Vol. XV., pp. 201-210. 

6. General Catalogue, pp. 4 and 18. 



140 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

His life for a quarte]' of a century was the life and light 
of the institution. He was born in Darlington, South 
Carolina, March 22nd, 1828 ; graduated with A. B. from 
Wake Forest in 1849 ; studied theology at Furman 
Univei'sity, South Carolina, for two years ; from 1852 to 
1854 agent for his alma mater.''- 

When he took hold, the institution needed a strong 
mind to guide it and an energetic one to extend its 
sphere. From 1854 to 1861 it rose rapidly and firmly. 
When the devastation of war had swept the fruits from 
our soil, it required even greater force to bring back re- 
sources and life. Duties were suspended in May, 1862, 
and it was not reopened until 1866. At the State Con- 
vention of 1856, which met at Raleigh, $25,000 were 
pledged for the endowment fund. Dr. Wingate had in- 
creased this amount to $46,000 by 1861. When the war 
closed the whole fund was M^orth only $11,700. However, 
new and greater efforts were made on this line, and from 
1866 to 1883 about $40,000 more were secured." He not 
only worked to equip the college with apparatus and 
strong teachers, but toiled to make true men out of his 
students. He labored, as few others have, for a deep 
and general culture. Through his college duties he 
still kept up the ministry, being at different times pastor 
of the churches in Oxford, Franklinton, Selma and else- 
where. He was a power in conventions, assemblies and 
in all kinds of educational or religious work.^ 

Rev. J. D. Hufham, D. D., who is now the greatest 
North Carolina Baptist, says of him: "We have lost 
the greatest man we had among us. For twenty-five 
years he was the central figure, the greatest power of 
North Carolina Baptists. He had a vigorous, compre- 
hensive and subtle intellect. In law, or statesmanship, 



1. Manuscript on Wingate ; General Catalogue, p. 

2. General Catalogue, p. 4. 

3. Manuscript on Wingate. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 141 

or any of the professions which require the knowledge 
and management of men, he would have risen to emi- 
nence. He was a great moral philosojDher, a great 
preacher, the best I have ever heard, and a wise and 
successful pastor. He ruled the boys through their re- 
spect for him and their faith in him. He was a brave 
man, a true man ; still he was as tender and gentle as a 
woman." ^ 

In 1879 Rev. Thomas Henderson Pritchard, D. D., be- 
came president. He held the position until June, 1882. ^ 
He had had such a useful career and was so well and 
favorably known, that he perhaps of all was the very 
man to advertise the college to the whole church. He 
was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Februar}' 8th, 
1832 ; graduated with A. B. from Wake Forest in 1854 ; 
ordained minister in 1855 ; three years preacher and 
teacher in Hertford ; two years a student under Dr. John 
A. Broadus in Charlottesville, Virginia; pastor of 
Franklin-Square, Baltimore, for three years ; pastor of 
First Baptist Church of Raleigh for about thirteen years ; 
twenty-three years a trustee of his alma mater ; for some 
time associate editor of the Biblical Recorder ; after re- 
signing the presidency of Wake Forest, pastor at Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, Wilmington and Charlotte, North Caro- 
lina ; died in Charlotte, May 23rd, 189(3. ^ 

Rev. W. B. Royall, D. D., professor of Greek, was 
chairman of the faculty from June, 1882, to November, 
1884, when Rev. Charles Elisha Taylor, D. D., assumed 
the presidency. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, 
October 28th, 1842 ; entered Richmond College at fifteen 
and would have graduated in 1862 but for the war ; 
joined the army Aj)ril 17th, 1861; at the University of 
Virginia 1865-70, where he graduated ; traveled for some 

1. Manuscript on Wingate. 

2. General Catalogue, pp. 4 and 18. 

8. Wake Forest Student, Vol. XV., pp. -521-534. 



142 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

time in Europe ;^ was assistant professor of Latin and 
German 1870-71, and professor of Latin and German 
from 1871 to 1884, in Wake Forest ;3 in 1889 the Univer- 
sity of North Carolina gave him Litt. D.^ He still 
guides the institution, and with great ability and success. 

On December 31st, 1883, the endowment fund reached 
$100,000. During this year Mr. J. A. Bostwick, of New 
York, gave his first gift — $10,000. Two years afterwards 
he gave the Bostwick Loan Fund, to aid indigent young 
men ; and in 1886 he added $50,000 to the endowment. 
During July, 1890, the same liberal giver offered to add 
one-half to whatever amount, up to $50,000, might be 
raised by March 1st, 1891. Then began one of the 
greatest canvasses ever made in this State. Hundreds 
of poor men, women and children gave their mite; and 
by the stated time $26,000 had been secured. By this 
about $40,000 were added, and the fund amounted to 
$194,000.4 At the present time (1897) this fund exceeds 
$200, 000. '^ In addition to a large increase of funds, 
there have been erected three more commodious build- 
ings. The Heck-Williams Building was erected in 1878 
by Col. J. M. Heck and Mr. John G. Williams, of Raleigh. 
The Wingate Memorial Building w^as erected in 1880 by 
the friends of the institution. The Lea Laboratory, for 
the most part built through the generosity of Mr. Sidney 
S. Lea, of Caswell county, was completed in 1888.*^* 

The faculty has been: Samuel Wait, Philos., Lit., 
1834-45; Thomas Meredith, Math., Nat. Philos., 1834- 
37 ; John Armstrong, Anc. Langs., 1835-37 ; Charles R. 
Merriam, tutor of Husbandry, 1834; Graves (1835) and 
Wilcox (1836), tutors; John B. White, Math., Nat. 

1. Dr. Hul ham. Biblical Recorder, December 8,1897; letter from President Taylor. 

2. General Catalogue, p. 20. 

3. General Catalogue of the University of North Carolina, p. 242. 

4. General Catalogue, pp. 4-5. 

5. Catalogue, 1890-1897. 

(i. General Catalogue, pp. 5-6. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 143 

Philos., 1837-49 ; D. F. Richardson, Anc. Langs., 1837- 
39; Stephen Moore, Adjunct of Langs., 1838-39; 
George W. Thompson, tutor, 1838; D. F. Richardson, 
Hebrew, Rhet., 1839-43 ; Stephen Moore. Greek, Lat., 
1839-43; E. W. West, tutor, 1841-42; William Hays 
Owen, Anc. Langs., 1843-58; William Tell Brooks, 
tutor, 1843-46; William Hooper, Philos., Lit., 1845-49; 
Samuel S. Satchwell, tutor, 1846-47; W. T. Brooks, 
Asst. Anc. Langs., 1846-58 ; Archibald McDowell, tutor, 
1847; John B. White, Philos., Lit., 1849; William T. 
Walters, tutor, 1849-52; Willie Person Mangum, Jr. , 
tutor, 1849-50 ; Benjamin Wesley Justice, tutor, 1850- 
62 ; John Mitchell, tutor, 1852; W. T. Walters, Math., 
1852-68; James Henry Foote, tutor, 1853 ; Thomas H. 
Pritchard, tutor, 1853 ; W. M. Wingate, Philos., Rhet., 
1854-79 ; William Cummings, Chem., Min., Geol., 1854 ; 
William Gaston Simmons, Chem., Nat. Hist., 1855-88; 
Benson Field Cole, tutor, 1856; Robert H. Marsh, 
tutor Anc. Langs., 1856; Samuel P. Smith, tutor, 
1859; J. H. Foote, Anc. Langs., 1859-66; William 
Royall, Lang., 1859-70; William Baily Roy all, tutor, 
1866-68; Luther Rice Mills, Adjunct Math., 1867-71 ; 
W. B. Royall, Asst. Langs., 1868-71; John C. Scar- 
borough, tutor, 1869-71; Charles Meredith Seawell, 
tutor, 1870 ; Charles Elisha Taylor, Asst. Lat., German, 
1870-71; L. R. Mills, Math., 1871- ; W. B. Royall, 
Greek , French , 1871- ; C . E. Taylor, Lat. , German , 1871- 
84 ; L. W. Bagley, tutor, 1877 ; W. L. Poteat, tutor, 1878- 
80 ; Neill Dockery Johnson, tutor, 1878 ; T. H. Pritchard, 
Philos., Lit., 1879-82; Charles Wesley Scarborough, tutor, 
1879-82; William Royall, Modern Lang., 1880; W. L. 
Poteat, Asst. Nat. Hist., 1880-83; Charles Henry Mar- 
tin, tutor, 1882; Eli E. Hilliard, tutor, 1882-83; Exum 
Green Beckwith, tutor, 1883 ; William Furney Marshall, 
tutor, 1883; W. L. Poteat, Nat. Hist., 1883-88; C. 



144 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

E. Taylor, Philos., Hist., 1884-; Edwin McNeill Poteat, 
Asst. Lat., 1885; James Reynolds Duggan, Cham., 
1886-88; George W. Manly, Lat., 1886-90; Walter H. 
Michael, Asst. Lat., Math., 1886-88; Charles E. Reese, 
Chem., 1888; W. H. Michael, App. Math., Phys., 1888- 
90; E. G. Beckwith, Asst. Math., 1888; John Bethune 
Carlyle, Asst. Lat., 1888-91; Aaron E. Purinton, Chem., 
1888-89; Benjamin Franklin Sledd, Mod. Lang., 1888- 
94; Charles Edward Brewer, Chem., 1886-; Thomas 
Stafford Sprinkle, Phys. Cult., 1889-91; George Wash- 
ington Greene, Lat., 1890-91; John F. Lanneau, Phys., 
App. Math., 1890-; J. B. Carlyle, Lat., 1891-; Jas. 
Constantine Maske, Asst. Langs., 1891-94; Enoch Wal- 
ter Sikes, Phys. Cult., 1891-94; ^ William J. Ferrell, 
Asst. Math., 1892-; Needham Y. Gulley, Law, 1893-95, 
Law and Polit. Sci., 1895-; Hendren Gorrell, Mod. 
Lang., 1894-; Robert W. Haywood, Asst. Greek, Lat., 
1894-96; Walters Durham, Phys. Cult., 1894-95; George 
W. Paschal, Asst. Greek, Lat., 1896-; Willis R. Culloni, 
Bible, 1896-.2 

The present faculty, consisting of twelve professors, 
two assistant professors and three tutors, is very strong. 
With the exception of the University, there is not a more 
able or consecrated set of intellectual workers in the 
State. There are among them students and graduates 
of the University of Virginia, Leipsic (Germany) , Johns 
Hopkins, Washington and Lee, and Chicago University.^ 
At the last State Convention, held in Oxford, E. W. Sikes, 
M. A., Ph. D. (Johns Hopkins University) , was elected 
to the Chair of History. Before this, Llistory had been 
under the charge of the president or a professor of some 
other department. From this new department very 
much may be expected. The Baptists have already done 

1. (General Catalogue, pp. 18-20. 

2. Catalogues, 1S93-189G. 

3. News and Observer, Raleigh, August IS, 1897. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 145 

a great deal for their history. Rev. J. D. Hufham, D. 
D., is now doing some fine work; and Dr. Sikes will no 
doubt give a greater impetus to the historical spirit, 
which is just now beginning to move, correct and en- 
lighten our State. The publications of the faculty have 
not been very many, though there is at present quite a 
tendency toward authorship. Drs. Hooper, AVingate, 
Walters and Brooks published some pamphlets, mainly 
of sermons. Dr. William Royall published a book on 
Latin Syntax, also one on Ethics. During the summer 
of 1896 Dr. Gorreli and Prof. Sledd brought out a new 
edition of The Princess of Cleves. Prof. Sledd published 
a book of poems. From Cliff and Scaur, in December, 
1897. President Taylor has written a Life of Matthew 
Tyson Yates, which is to be published during the year 
1898.1 

The course of studies is fairly high for Southern insti- 
tutions. For entrance into college classes two years in 
Latin, one in Greek, a fair knowledge of English, Arith- 
metic, Algebra to equations of the second degree. Ele- 
mentary Botany, Physiology, Physical Geography and 
Zoology, are required. The following collegiate schools 
are given : Latin Language and Literature, three years 
and seminary work ; Greek Language and Literature , three 
years and seminary; English Language and Literature — 
Rhetoric, History of Literature, Old and Middle English, 
History of Language; Modern Languages — French and 
German Languages and Literature, two years and ad- 
vanced work in each; Pure Mathematics — Algebra, Geom- 
etry, Trigonometry^ Analytical Geometry, Differential 
and Integral Calculus; Physics, Applied Mathematics, 
Astronomy; Chemistry — General, Inorganic, Organic, 
Applied Chemistry, Mineralogy; Biology — General Biol- 
ogy, Botany, Zoology, Human. Physiology, Geolog}'; 

1. Letter from President Taj-lor. 



146 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Moral Philosophy — Psychology, Ethics, Logic, Christian 
Evidences, History of Philosophy; History and Political 
Science — History, Political Economy, Constitutional 
Government; Law — Common, Statute, Liternational, 
Constitutional; Bible, two years. B. A., M. A. and B. 
L. degrees are conferred. ^ 

The two literary societies, Euzelian and Philomathe- 
sian, were founded in 1837 and have grown with the in- 
stitution. Their influence has been deeply felt in all 
forms of the college life. In 1890 the Scientific Society 
was organized, and in 1895 the Historical Society. These 
have already shown their usefulness in promulgating a 
scientific and historical spirit, that some day will bless 
the State. 2 Along with the institution and the diff'erent 
societies has grown the library, until it now has 11,500 
volumes. •■' One of the institution's most efi'ective agen- 
cies for intellectual, literary and college life, has been 
the Student. This began its career in January, 1882, 
and has now grown to be among the leading school 
papers.^ 

Upon the whole Wake Forest College has had a very 
honorable record. Since its founding about four thou- 
sand different students have been within its walls. Al- 
most five hundred of these have become ministers of the 
gospel; and many others have won eminence in law, 
politics, medicine, merchandising, manufacturing and 
teaching. Each year adds to its strength in facilities 
and patronage. During 1892-1893 the enrollment was 
191. Since that it has gradually increased to 197, 221, 
260 and to 263 for the year 1896-1897.5 The present 

1. Catalogue, 189ti-1897, pp. 20-40. 

2. Ibid, pp. 5B-55. 

3. Letter from President Taylor. 

4. Catalogue, 1896-1897, p. 56. 

5. General Catalogue ; Catalogues since 1892. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 147 

policy is vigorous and aggressive. This institutioD, 
with its church, has made a very active fight against 
State aid to higher education. That it has aided its wel- 
fare thereby cannot be proven ; the future only can tell. 

DAVIDSON COLLEGE. 

The Presbyterian settlements in North Carolina have 
already been spoken of somewhat at length ; so also have 
their early schools. It has been shown that they were 
a strong element in the political, religious and educa- 
tional life of this State during the latter part of the 
eighteenth century. While other churches, especially 
the Baptist and Mf^thodist, have grown rapidly during 
the nineteenth century, the Presbyterian hhs gone side 
by side of these. It still has great influence and power 
and now, as a century ago, firmly believes in its institu- 
tions of learning. The strongest of these for more than 
fifty years has been Davidson College. It has been to 
them what Wake Forest has been to the Baptists — a 
source of life as well as of light. 

This institution was located in the northern part of 
Mecklenburg county, midway between Charlotte and 
Statesville, twenty-two miles from each,* in the year 
1837. Not far from this had been the classical schools : 
Crowfield, Sugar Creek ^ Queens' Museum, Zion-Par- 
nassus, Providence, Rocky River, Poplar Tent, Centre, 
Bethany and others. The idea of having a Presbyterian 
college in this community was in vogue as early as 1820. 
It was at a convention held in Lincolnton in September 
of this year that the first steps were taken. In this 
gathering were many from a large area of both the Caro- 
linas. They resolved to establish a school by the name 
of Western College, and appointed a board of trustees. 



1. Catalogue, 18%-l«t7, p. 42, 



148 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

They felt the great need of having a liigh grade institu- 
tion in their own midst ; the University was rather far 
away for those times of few conveniences for traveling. 
A charter was granted, and the board of trustees made 
attempts to secure money with which to erect a building. 
Success did not come to them, why the writer does not 
know. They gave up the whole affair in 1824. ^ 

The idea among many Presbyterians was not by any 
means dead ; it was taking a new hold. At the Presby- 
tei'v of Concord, which met at Prospect Church in Rowan 
county during March, 1835, Rev. Robert Hall Morrison 
is said to have introduced the following resolution : 
"Resolved, That this Presbytery, deeply impi-essed with 
the importance of securing the means of education to 
young men, within our bounds, of hopeful piety and 
talents, preparatory to the gospel ministry, undertake 
(in humble reliance upon the blessing of God) the estab- 
lishment of a Manual Labor School; and that a committee 
be appointed to report at the next meeting of the Presby- 
tery the best measures for its accomplishment and the 
most favorable places for its location. "^ Revs. Robert H , 
Morrison, John Robinson, Stephen Frontis and Samuel 
Williamson, with Robert Burton, William Lee Davidson, 
John Phifer and Joseph Young, were made the com- 
mittee.^ 

During August of the same year it was reported that 
a fariTi of four hundred and ninety-six acres had been 
contracted for. This belonged to William Lee Davidson ; 
and they were to pay him $1,521 by the first of the next 
year. Mr. Morrison had by this time obtained in sub- 
scriptions $18,000, and Rev. P. J. Sparrow $12,392, 
making in all more than thirty thousand dollars. These 



1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 3()-i)l. 

2. Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. III., p. 107, copied edition, given in Semi- 
Centenary Addresses, pp. 33-34. 

3. Senii-Centenary Addresses, p. 8. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 149 

reports were made on the 25th of August, 1836 ; and on 
the next day it was decided to name the school David- 
son College, after Gen. William Davidson, who fell like 
a hero fighting for liberty at Cowan's Ford.* An invi- 
tation was at once sent to the Bethel Presbytery, of South 
Carolina, to join in this new enterprise. The invitation 
was accepted October 10th, 1835. Soon after this the 
Morganton Presbytery, which included the territory west 
of the Catawba river, also came in.^ They selected a 
site two miles from Old Centre Meeting-house and one 
and a half from the Iredell line. On this they began to 
erect the buildings in the summer of 1836.^ The Stew- 
ards' Hall, the President's House, a home for the teacher 
of languages, now known as "Tammany," and four 
blocks of brick dormitories, were completed within a 
short while.'* 

On March 1st, 1837, the college opened. Rev. Robert 
Hall Morrison, D. D., pastor of Sugar Creek, president 
and professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy ; Rev. 
Patrick Jones Sparrow, D. D., of Salisbury, professor of 
Ancient Languages ; Mortimer D. Johnston, A. M., tutor 
of Mathematics — these were the faculty for the first year.^ 
Dr. Morrison was the strongest personality in the educa- 
tional movement of that time, and was elected the first 
president of the infant college. He was chosen by the 
three Presbyteries of Concord, Bethel and Morganton. 
He was born in Cabiirrus county, North Carolina, Sep- 
tember 8th, 1798 ; graduated with A. B. from the Univer- 
sity of the State in 1818 ; ordained minister April 21st, 
1821 ; served the churches at Providence, Fayetteville 



1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, p. 3i; Foote".s Sketches,]). 521; Davidson Monthly, 
Vol. VII., p. 195. 

2. Semi-Centenary Addresses, p. 35; Davidson Monthly, Vol. VII., p. 195. 

3. Ibid, p. 85 

4. Ibid. p. 37. 

5. Semi-Centenary .\ddre.sses. p. .38; Foote'.s Sketches, p. .321 ; Davidson Monthly, 
Vol. VII., p. 106. 



150 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

and Sugar Creek ; received I). D. from the University of 
North Carolina 1S38, and A. M. from the College of New 
Jersey ; after resigning the presidency of Davidson was 
pastor of Unity and Macpelah churches ; died May 
13th, 1889.1 

Dr. Morrison resigned early in 1840. He had worked 
for the institution with such enthusiasm and force that 
his health became very poor, hence his resignation. 
During his short term of office much was done — the 
school had been organized and started on its way. 
During the first session there were about sixty students ; 
and there were not good accommodations for more than 
forty-eight. More rooms were soon added, and by the 
end of his administration there were about one hundred 
pupils each year. The manual labor idea, from which 
they at first expected many good results, soon proved a 
failure, and was abandoned in 1841. There was no grad- 
uating class until 1840. However, there were public 
examinations and orations at the close of each spring 
term. The first attempt to secure a chemical apparatus 
and a library was made during the second year, but with 
little success.^ 

A charter was granted and ratified December 28th, 
1838. However, there was a good deal of difficulty in 
securing this, as a large number of the legislature at that 
time opposed the idea of giving a grant to an institution 
under the church. By this charter the trustees were to 
be chosen by the Presbyteries of Concord, Bethel and 
Morganton, and any other Presbyteries of the State that 
might afterwards wish to join these in the educational 
enterprise. The original trustees were : John Robin- 
son, Ephraim Davidson, Thomas L. Cowan, Robert H. 
Burton, Robert H. Morrison, John AVilliamson, Joseph 



1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 38-o9; Semi-Centennlal Catalogue, p. 13; Gene- 
ral Catalogue of the University of North Carolina, p. 182. 
•2. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 91-107. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 151 

W. Ross, William L. Davidson, Charles W. Harris, Wal- 
ter S. Pliarr, Cyrus L. Hunter, John D. Graham, Robert 
Potts, James M. H. Adams, David A. Caldwell, William 
B. Wood, Moses W. Alexander, D. C. Mebane, James AV. 
Os])orne, Henry N. Pharr, John M. Wilson, P. J. Spar- 
row, James G. Torrence, John L. Daniel, Pierpont E. 
Bishop, George W. Dunlap and John Springs.^ By 
article first of the constitution, none were eligible to a 
trusteeship but "members in full communion of the 
P]'esb3^terian Church."^ 

When it came to the qualifications of teachers, the 
constitution was still more rigid. According to the 
third section of the second article, they were compelled 
to take the following vows : "I do sincerely believe the 
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the 
word of God, the only infallable rule of faith and prac- 
tice. I do sincerely adopt the Confession of Faith of the 
Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, 
as faithfully exhibiting the doctrines taught in the Holy 

Scriptures 

I do solemnly engage not to teach anything that is op- 
posed to any doctrine contained in the Confession of 
Faith, nor to oppose any of the fundamental principles 
of the Presbyterian Church Government, while I con- 
tinue a teacher or professor of this Institution."^ 

The text-books used during Dr. Morrison's administra- 
tion were : Day's Algebra, Olmsteacl's Natural Philoso- 
phy and Astronomy, Turner's Chemistry, Gibson's Sur- 
veying, Hedge's Logic, Locke on the Human Understand- 
ing, Blair's Rhetoric, Paley's Evidences of Christianity, 
Adam's Latin Grammar, Csesar's Commentaries, Sal- 
lust, Vergil, Cicero, Horace, Livy, Valphy's Greek 
Grammar, Greek Testament, Graeca Minora and Ma- 



1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 48-49 ; Semi-Centeunial Catalogue, pp. 2-3. 

2. Foote's Sketches, p. 522. 
a. Ibid, p. 522. 



152 THE CHURCH .\ND PRIVATE 

jora.^ And in connection with this course of studies 
Rev. Patrick Jones Sparrow deserves more than a mere 
mention. He it was who did a great part of the teach- 
ing during the lirst three years. He was born in Lin- 
coln county, North Carolina, in 1802 ; served his church 
in many ways before becoming professor of languages in 
Davidson ; president of Harapden-Sidney College, Vir- 
ginia, for some time after 1842; died in Alabama, No- 
vember 10th, 1867.2 

Rev. Samuel Williamson, A. M., D. D., became presi- 
dent in July, 1841. He gave the longest service of any 
presiding officer — thirteen 3'ears ; and his administra- 
tion was distinguished, especially so when the difficulties 
under which he labored are considered. The manual 
labor idea had failed and the institution was in poor 
financial circumstances ; and it was by his great energy 
and tact that it was kept alive. During a great part 
of his. presidency, he was pastor of the College Church, 
attended to his official duties and at the same time 
taught Rhetoric, Logic, Natural Philosophy, Mineral- 
olog3% Geology, Cliemistry, Evidences of Christianity, 
Moral Philosophy, Metaphysics, Political Economy and 
International Law. At no time during his administra- 
tion did the income support more than two regular pro- 
fessors, and that too in a meager wa5^ Many plans were 
attempted to secure more money, among which was the 
sale of twenty-year scholarships. About four hundred 
of these were to be sold to raise $40,000, with which to 
endow two professorships. This plan, wdiile it brought 
in some money at the time, was ruinous in the end. 
They proposed to sell tuition twenty years in advance at 
five dollars per year. The Civil War destroyed its pro- 
ceeds, while the scholarships remained good,^ 

1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, p. 08. 

2. Iliid, pp. 89-40; Semi Centennial Catalogue, p. 14. 

3. Ujid, pp. .50-52, lOiMlfi; Davidson Monthly, Vol. VIL, p. 196. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 153 

Dr. Williamson was born in York county, South Caro- 
lina, June 12th, 1795 ; graduated at South Carolina Col- 
lege in 181S ; pastor of Providence Church from 1822 to 
1840, when he became professor of Mathematics in 
Davidson ; given D. D. by Washington College in 1847 ; 
pastor of Hopewell and Steel Creek 1855-1857; preacher 
in Arkansas 1857-1882, where he died March 12th, 1882. ^ 
His influence upon the inner life of his students was 
great; he made a deep impression upon them, one that 
remained a life-time. There were one hundred and 
seventy-three A. B. graduates under him. Many of these 
became distinguished in after life. Among this number 
were W. P. Bynum, a member of the Supreme Court of 
North Carolina, and J. M. Baker, a judge of his adopted 
State, Florida, and a member of the Confederate States 
Senate.^ 

Just as Dr. Williamson was giving up the presidency a 
great gift came to the institution! By the will of -Max- 
well Chambers, dated November, 1854, a legacy of one- 
fourth of a million dollars was left to the college. How- 
ever, as their original charter did not allow the trustees 
to hold but two hundred thousand dollars, about $45,000 
of this went back to his next kin, Hon. David F. Cald- 
well. The legislature at once gave the trustees the power 
to hold a half a million, but this action was too late to 
save all of the legacy. Mr. Chambers deserves a high 
place in the history of this institution. It was by means 
of his gift that the college was placed in good financial 
circumstances, a chapel and dormitories erected, and 
laboratories and library equipped. He had been very 
successful in business in Charleston, South Carolina, 
and in Salisbury of this State. He was a great giver to 



1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 50-5-J. 109-119; Davidson Montlilj'. Vol. VII., p. 
196; Semi-Centennial Catalogue, p. 14. 

2. Semi-Centenary Addresses, p. 115. 



]54 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

the needy of liis fellow-men, and in many ways assisted 
in the betterment of his country. ^ 

On January 24th, 1855, Rev. Drury Lacy, D. D., was 
elected the third president. He began his duties in 
July, 1855, and served till July, 1860. He was born in 
Prince Edward county, Virginia, August 5th, 1802 ;2 
graduated at Hampden-Sidney College in 1822, and at 
the Union Theological Seminary in 1832; pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church in Newbern and Raleigh from 1833 
to his election as president of Davidson ; teacher in 
Raleigh 1865-1880; given A. M. in 1839 and D. D. in 
1852, by the University of North Carolina ; died in Jones- 
boro, North Carolina, August 1st, 1884.^ He was a man 
of fine scholarship and great earnestness, but soon found 
the rigid and tiring work of administering the affairs of 
the college burdensome. Two hundred and seventy-one 
pupils were enrolled and fifty-five graduated during his 
terra of office. He was professor of Metaphysics as well 
as president ; and managed the affairs of erecting the 
chapel building.'* 

Associated with him were Rev. E. F. Rockwell, D. D., 
Gen. D. H. Hill, Col. J. A. Leland, C. D. Fishburne, 
and W. C. Kerr. With these teachers began that period 
of rigid drilling, that has since been characteristic of the 
institution. Rockwell in Latin, Fishburne in Greek, 
Hill and Leland in Mathematics and Science, worked 
the boys so hard that there came about an unpleasant 
disturbance in 1854-1855, in consequence of which some 
of the students left. These were men who became emi- 
nent in different lines ; and while they taught in David- 
son they accepted no standard but that of true and high 
scholarship, s 

1. Seiiii-Ceiitenary Addres'»es, pp. 5'i-5i ; Davidson Monthly, Vol. VII., p. 1%. 

2. Ibid, p. 5.5 ; Davidson Monthly, Vol. VII., p. 1!I7. 

a. Ibid, J). .5(5; Semi-Centennial Catalogne, p. Ki; General Catalogue of t'niver- 
sity of North Carolina, p. 289. 

4. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 1'27 and 120. 

5. Ibid,pp. 122and l-'4. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 155 

Gen. Hill, though by far better known as a soldier, 
still had a vei-y honorable and extensive career as a 
school-man. He was born in York county. South Caro- 
lina, July 21st, 1821; graduated at West Point 1842; 
professor of Mathematics in Washington College, Vir- 
ginia, 1847-1853; superintendent of the North Carolina 
Military Academy, Charlotte, 1859-1860; became Lieu- 
tenant General of the Confederate States Army July 
10th, 1863; editor of the Land We Love 1866-1869; 
author of Elements of Algebra ; president of the University 
of Arkansas 1877-1884, and of Middle Georgia Military 
and Agricultural College 1885-1889; died at Charlotte, 
North Carolina, 1889.^ Prof. Kerr also deserves more 
than a mention. He was born in Guilford county, North 
Carolina, in 1827 ; took from the University of the State 
A. B. 1850, A. M. 1852 and Ph. D. 1879; student at 
Harvard 1853-1855 ; computer in the office of the Nau- 
tical Almanac 1852-1857 ; geologist of North Carolina 
1864-1882 ; author of many valuable reports and works 
on the Geology of this State ; died in 1885.- 

In 1860 Rev. John Lycan Kirkpatrick, D. D., became 
president. He came at a time when high hopes were in 
the college atmosphere. The new building had been 
completed at a cost of from $85,000 to $90,000. There 
was a great attempt to secure the best possible teachers ; 
and the salaries were raised from twelve to fifteen hun- 
dred dollars. It seemed that a new and far greater era 
awaited the institution. But when the Civil War came 
on everything was brought to a standstill, though duties 
were not entirely suspended until a short while before 
the surrender. There were from four to six teachers and 
several young boys in the college halls most of the time 
during those gloomy years. However, only two classes 

1. Semi-Gen tennial Catalogue, p. 15; Lieut.-General Hill, by Judge A. C. Avery. 

2. General Catalogue oi the University of North Carolina, pp. 159 and 241; Semi- 
Centennial Catalogue, p. 16. 



156 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

graduated. These were in 1861 and 1864, and they were 
smalL The course of studies was very irreguLar and in 
many cases very low. The i'lStitution for the time being- 
became a high school, with doors open to the youth of 
the South wandering from place to place. Dr. Kirk- 
patrick was a great preacher and power, and had his 
circumstances been at all favorable would have accom- 
plished much. He had done his best, but the institution 
seemed almost ruined ; and he resigned in 1866 to accept 
a chair in Washington College, afterwards called Wash- 
ington and Lee University.^ He was l)orn in Mecklen- 
burg county. North Carolina, January 13th. LS13 ; grad- 
uated at Hampden-Sidney College 1832 ; licensed to 
preach in 1837, and was pastor at Lynchburg, Virginia, 
Gainsville, Alabama, and Charleston, South Cai'olina; 
professor of Moral Philosophy and Belles-Letti-es in 
Washington College 1866-1885, the year of his death. 2 

When the war closed the funds of the college were al- 
most gone, and still the scholarships sold in 1851 were to 
be paid in free tuition. It seemed to the trustees neces- 
sary to repudiate these scholarships or to reduce the 
faculty to three members They chose the former and 
made strenuous efforts to bring back life to the almost 
lifeless institution. In 1866 Rev. George Wilson Mc- 
Phail, D. D., LL. D., was elected president. The}' gave 
him six strong teachers ; and he was the professor of 
Mental and Moral Philosophy. They all began work 
with zeal, and the results were far better than any one 
had ever expected. There were not more than twenty 
pupils during the first year of his administration , but as 
prosperity began to return the numbers increased rapidly, 
until in 1870 there was an enrollment of one hundred 
and twenty-five.^ 

1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 5(5-57, 131-139. 

2. Ibid, p. 57; Semi-Centennial Catalogue, p. 17. 

3. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 58-59, 141-14(3, 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 157 

Dr. McPhail was of delicate constitution, and the bur- 
dens of bringing back life and patronage to the college 
proved too much for him. His death occurred while he 
was in the office, in the midst of the Commencement of 
1S71, June 28th. He was a great man and his influence 
upon his students remained through life. During his 
short term of five years much was done to build up and 
strengthen every phase of the college. In this time sixty 
young men graduated, one in 1867 and three in 1868. 
He was born in Noi'folk, Virginia, December 26th, 1818 ; 
graduated at Yale 1835 ; pastor in Virginia and Penn- 
sylvania 1842-1861 ; president of LaFayette College, 
Pennsylvania, 1860-1862 ; principal of the Female 
Seminary in Norfolk 1860-1867. ^ 

Upon the death of Dr. McPhail, John Rennie Blake, 
A. M., professor of Physics since 1861, was made chair- 
man of the faculty. His term of office continued until 
1877. These six years were among the most prosperous 
the institution ever had. It was a time of many needed 
changes and univei'sal good will. His administration 
compares very favorably with that of any of the presi- 
dents. He and his co-laborers, for the members of the 
faculty were each alike responsible for a part of the ad- 
ministration, increased tuition fees, introduced entrance 
examinations in order to raise the standard of scholar- 
ship, extended the management of the college to the 
Presbyteries of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, put 
a financial agent into the field, and raised the curriculum 
to a great extent. During these six years one hundred 
and three students graduated, and two hundred and five 
matriculated. 2 

Prof. Blake, in addition to his regular department and 
the chairmanship, was clerk of the faculty, librarian, 



1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, p. 59; Semi-Centennial Catalogue, p. IS. 

2. Ibid, pp. 60-61,147-154; Davidson Monthly, Vol. VII., p. 197. 



158 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

treasurer of several funds aud of the college; and re- 
ceived no extra pay for all these extra duties. He held 
his professorship until 1885, a period of a quarter of a 
century. This was the longest term in the whole history 
of the college to that time ; and since there has been but 
one of the same duration — that of William .Joseph Mar- 
tin, A. M., LL. D., who was professor of Chemistry fi-om 
1869-1896. He was born in Greenwood, South Carolina, 
1825 ; graduated at the University of Georgia 1846 ; teacher 
in South Carolina 1846-1853, and in the Presbyterian 
Female College of Greensboro, Georgia, 1853-1856; stu- 
dent in Harvard 1856-1857 ; professor in La Grange 
Synodical College, Tennessee, 1857-1861; professor of 
Physics, Chemistry and Geology in Davidson College 
1861-1869, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy 1869- 
1885. After his resignation in 1885, he retired to private 
life in Greenwood, South Carolina.^ 

In 1877 Rev. Andrew Doz Hepburn, A. M., D. D., 
LL. D., was elected the seventh presidenc; and he kept 
the office until June, 1885. He was very successful in 
stirring up new ambitions and hopes in his students and 
as a president did much, though he was not in accord 
with the trustees toward the latter part of his adminis- 
tration. One hundred and twelve students graduated 
under him, and three hundred and eighteen matricu- 
lated. He resigned in 1884 in consideration of the dif- 
ference of opinion between himself and the trustees. He 
went back to Miami University, Ohio, of which institu- 
tion he afterwards became president. ^ He was born in 
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, November 14th, 1830; 
graduated at the University of Virginia 1852 ; professor 
of Logic and Rhetoric in the University of North Carolina 
1860-1867 ; professor in Miami University till 1873 ; 

1. Semi-Centennial Catalogue, p. is; Davidson Montlily, Vol. XII., p. 24.5. 

2. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 01-63,1-56-105; Davidson Monthly. Vol VII., p. 197. 



SCH001.S OF NORTH CAROLINA. 159 

professor of Latin and French in Davidson College 
1874-1875, and while president had the department of 
Metaphysics and English Literature; given LL. D. by 
the University of North Carolina in 1881.^ 

On August 4th, 1885, Rev. Luther McKiunon, D. D., 
was elected president. He was born in Richmond county, 
North Carolina, October 31st, 1840 ; graduated at David- 
son 1861 and at Columbia Theological Seminary 1864; 
principal of Floral College 1865-1866 ; pastor at Golds- 
boro 1866-1871, at Concord 1871-1883, and at Columbia, 
South Carolina, 1883-1885. In consequence of ill health 
he retired from the presidency in 1888, and now lives at 
Clinton, North Carolina.^ The number of students was 
only ninety-eight the year before he took hold, but dur- 
ing his first term there were one hundred and fifteen. 
Though he had had no experience in school work, still 
his influence in his church was so strong that patronage 
began to increase rapidly and new forces began to look 
to the college.^ 

Upon the resignation of Dr. McKinnon, Rev. John 
Bunyan Shearer, M. A., D. D., LL. D., assumed the 
presidency, and he still holds the position. He was born 
in Appomattox county, Virginia, 1832; graduated at 
Hampden-Sidney College 1851, at the University of Vir- 
ginia 1854, and Union Theological Seminary 1858; pas- 
tor in Chapel Hill 1858-1862 and in Virginia 1862-1870 ; 
president of Stewart (now South Western Presbyterian 
University), Tennessee, 1870-1879, professor in same 
1879-1888; D. D. from Hampden-Sidney College and 
LL. D. from South Western Presbyterian University.'* 

His administration has shown steady progress from 

1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, p. tj2; Semi-Centennial Catalogue, p. 19; General 
Catalogue of the University of North Carolina, pp. 80 and 241 

2. Semi-Centenary Addresses, pp. 63-<i4 ; Semi-Centennial Catalogue, p. 21 ; letter 
from Dr. McKinnon. 

3. Semi-Centenary Addresses, p. 64. 

4. Semi-Centennial Catalogue, pp. 21-22. 



160 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

the beginning. When he assnmed conti'ol there were 
enrolled about one hundred boys, but for the past few 
years there have been upon average one hundred and 
sixty-five.^ The endowment fund left by the war 
amounted to about $70,000 ; and a good deal of this was 
unproductive. By 1892 this had been increased to $110,- 
000, and this whole amount was well invested. The 
above amount, with twelve thousand dollars worth of 
land in Minnesota, is their present fund.- There are 
now on the campus, in addition to the main building, 
the Y. M. C. A. Hall, Gymnasium, Old Chapel, two 
Society Halls, Oak Row, Elm Row and Tammany. The 
library has 11,000 volumes; the three laboratories of 
Chemistry, Mineralology and Physics, are well supplied 
with apparatus. The two literary societies have been 
sti'ong factors in the litei'ary and social growth of the 
student life. The Davidson JlontJilij, which with the be- 
ginning of the school year 1897-98, changed its name to 
The Davidson. College Magazine, is now in its fourteenth 
volume ; and it has contributed no little to the welfare 
of the institution. 2 

The regular professors from the beginning have been : 
Robert Hall Morrison, A. M., D. D., Sci., Math., 1886-40 ; 
Patrick Jones Sparrow, D. D., Langs., 1837-40; Samuel 
Williamson, A. M., D. D., Math., 1840-41, Chem., Men- 
tal and Moral Philos., Rhet., 1841-50, Mental and Moral 
Philos., Rhet., 1850-54; Samuel Plain Owen Wilson, 
A. M., Langs., 1841-53; Mortimer Davidson Johnston, 
A. M., Math., Nat. Philos., 1841-53 ; Elijah Frink Rock- 
well, A. M., D. D., Chem., Nat. Philos., 1850-52, Chem., 
GeoL, 1852-54, Lat., Mod. Hist., 1854-68; James Ruet 
Gilland, A. M., Langs. 1852-54; Daniel Harvey Hill, 

1. Catalogues, 1888-1897. 

2. Catalogue, 1896-1897; Davidson Monthly. Vol. VII., p. 197. 

3. Catalogue, 1896-1897; Davidson Monthlj-, Vols. I.-XIIl. and Davidson Collego 
Magazine, Vol. I. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 161 

Math., Nat. Philos., 1853-54, Math., Civil Engineering, 
1854-58 ; Clement Daniel Fishburne, A. M., Greek, Anc. 
Hist., 1855-60 ; Drury Lacy, A. M., D. D., Moral Philos., 
Sacred Lit., Evidences of Christ., 1855-61 ; John Adams 
Leland, A. M., Ph. D., Nat. Philos., Astr., 1854-60; 
Washington Caruthers Kerr, A. M., Ph. D., Chem., 
Mineralology, Geol., 1855-65; Alexander Mclver, A. 
M., Math., 1859-69; Victor Clay Barringer, A. M., 
Belles-Lettres, 1860-65; John Lycan Kirkpatrick, D. 
D., Mental and Moral Philos., Evidences of Christ., 
1860-66; William Bingham Lynch, A. M., Greek, Anc. 
Hist., 1860-64; John Rennie Blake, A. M., Pliys., 
Chem., Geol., 1861-69, Nat. Philos., Astr., 1869-85; 
George Wilson McPhail, D. D., LL. D., Mental and 
Moral Philos., 1866-71 ; John Monroe Anderson, A. M., 
Eng., Logic, Evidences of Christ., 1866-73, Eng., Polit. 
Philos., 1873-74; Wilson Gaines Richardson, M. A., 
Ph. D., Langs., 1866-74; Charles Phillips, D. D., LL. 
D., Math., Astr., 1868-69, Math., Engineering, 1869-75 ; 
William Joseph Martin, Chem., Geol., Nat. Hist., 1869- 
87, Chem., 1887-96; James Fair Latimer, A. M., Ph. 
D., LL. D., Metaphysics, 1872-73, Psychol., Logic, 
Ethics, 1873-75, Greek, German, 1875-83; AndrewDoz 
Hepburn, A. M., D. D., LL. D., Lat., French, 1874-75, 
Mental Philos., Eng. Lit., 1875-85; William Mynn 
Thornton, A. B., Greek, German, 1874-75 ; John Russell 
Sampson, A. M., Lat., French, 1875-83; William Wal- 
ler Carson, C. E., M. E., 1877-83; William Daniel Vin- 
son, M. A., Math., 1883-97; William James Bingham, 
M. A., Lat., French, 1883-87; Luther McKinnon, D. 
D., Ethics, Bible, 1885-88 ; William Samuel Gi'aves, M. 
A., B. L., Greek, German, 1885-87, Lat., French, 1887- 
93; William Spencer Currell, M. A., Ph. D., Eng., 
Psychol., Pol. Econ., 1886-94; Henry Louis Smith, A. 
M., Ph. D.,Nat. Philos., 1887- ; John Bunyan Shearer, 



IQ2 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

M. A., D. D., LL. D., Bible, Moral Pbilos., 1888- ; Caleb 
Richmond Harding, A. M., Ph. D., Greek, German, 
1888- ; W. R. Gray, Ph. D., Latin, French, 1893- ; 
Thomas P. Harrison, Ph. D., Eng., 1895-; William J. 
Martin, Jr., M. D., Ph. D., Adjunct Nat. Sci., 1895-96, 
Chem., 1896- ; J. L. Douglas, Math., upon death of Dr. 
Vinson, August 20th, 1897. ^ 

The acting professors have been : William Nathaniel 
Dickey, Nat. Philos., Astr., 1800-61; Stephen Frontis, 
French, 1860-61 ; Robert Lewis Harrison, M. A., Greek, 
German, 1875-76; William Scott Fleming, A. M., 
Greek, German, 1883-85 ; William Nelson Mebane, A. 
B., Greek, German, 1884-85; ('halmers Colin Norwood, 
A. M., Nat. Philos., Astr., 1885-87; Gonzales Lodge, 
Ph. D., Greek, German, 1886-88. Paul Patterson Winn, 
A. M., Langs., 1871-74, and Samuel Barnett, A. M., 
1874-77, have been adjunct professors. The following 
have been tutors : M. D. Johnston, A. M., Math., 1837- 
41 ; T. M. Kirkpatrick, A. M., 1841-49, and P. P. Winn, 
A. M., 1869-71, Langs ; C. Mc. Hepburn, A. B., 1880-81, 
J. P. Paisley, A. B., 1881-84, S. R. McKee, 1887-88, R. 
R. Stevenson, 1888-89, T. E. Winecoff, 1889-90, Banks 
Withers, 1890-91, W. L. Lingle, 1890-93, Math. J. B. 
Wharey, A. B., 1893-95, and F. F. Rowe, A. B., 1896- 
97, have been instructors. ^ 

Among the list given above are many of great ability 
and influence. They graduated from many of the lead- 
ing institutions in America, and some studied in Europe. 
Their devotion has been as great as their ability. They 
have labored heroically for the cause of christian educa- 
tion, and there are many evidences of the splendid results 
from such labors. President Shearer was the first to 
make the fight against State aid to higher institutions 

1. Semi-Centennial Catalogue, pp. 13-22; Catalogues, 1888-1897; Memorial Num- 
ber Davidson College Magazine. October, 1897. 

2. Semi-Centennial Catalogiie, pp. 22-24 ; Catalogues, 1S88-1897. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 163 

of learning in North Carolina. He, however, has now 
almost abandoned the attempt. During the first fifty 
years, one thousand eight hundred and sixty pupils 
matriculated in the institution ; and a great part of 
these received their only education there. Of the whole 
number of matriculates during those years one hundred 
and ninety-three entered the ministry. ^ All over this 
State and the whole Southland can be found pupils of 
these teachers ; and wdierever they have gone they have 
become good and intelligent citizens. There are not 
many authors among this large faculty ; the majority of 
tliem were too busy in making men to make books. As 
far as the writer can ascertain the list is as follows : 
Gen. D. H. Hill, Elements of Algebra, Sermon on the 
Mount, Crucifixion of Christ ; W. C. Kerr, a great num- 
ber of reports on the Geology of North Carolina ; W. G. 
Richardson, Latin Pronunciation in American Colleges ; 
A. D. Hepburn, Rlietoric ; J. B. Shearer, Bible Course 
Syllabus.^ 

There are and have been for sometime three courses 
leading to degrees — A. B., B. S., and A. M. The first 
two require four years, and the A. M. can be taken in 
one year after having completed either of the others. 
For entrance one must stand on Arithmetic, Algebra to 
equations of the second degree; Gildersleeve's Latin 
Primer, Reader and Grammar, Exercise Book, Caesar, 
Cicero's Orations Against Catiline; Goodwin's Greek 
Grammar and Reader ('comprising the first two books of 
the Anabasis) , White's Beginners' Greek Book; English 
Grammar. 3 

The course of studies for A. B. is : Freshman Class : 
Latin — Select Orations of Cicero, Li vy, Gildersleeve's 
Exercise Book, Composition; Greek — Xenophon's Hel- 

1. Semi-Centenary Addresses, p. 05. 

2. Semi-Centennial Catalogue, pp. i5-2'2. 

3. Catalogue, 1895-1897. 



164 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

lenica (Blake) , Lysias, Goodwin's Greek Grammar (re- 
vised edition) , Winchell's Greek Syntax, Goodell's Greek 
in English ; Mathematics — Bowser's College Algebra, 
Olney's University Algebra, Phillips & Fisher's Geome- 
try ; Physics — Gage's Elements of Physics; English — 
Genung's Outlines of Rhetoric, Strang's Exercises in 
English, Composition, English Classics; Biblical In- 
struction — A Reference Bible, Bible Course Syllabus 
(Shearer), a Bible Dictionary, Coleman's Historical 
Text-Book and Atlas of Biblical Geography. Sophomore 
Class: Latin — Cicero pro Milone, Horace (Chase and 
Stuart) , Private Reading, Gildersleeve's Grammar, 
Composition ; Greek — Herodotus, Homer (Seymour's 
School Iliad), Goodwin's Grammar, Seemann's Mythol- 
ogy, Pennell's Ancient Greece, Composition; Mathe- 
matics — Phillips & Fisher's Geometry, finished, Jones' 
Drill Book in Trigonometry, Algebra, finished; Chem- 
istry — Remsen's Briefer Course, Lectures; English — 
Genung's Practical Rhetoric, and Rhetorical Analysis, 
Poetics, Selections from English and American Authors. 
American Literature, Compositions twice a month ; Bib- 
lical Instruction — same books as in the Freshman Class, 
and Prideaux's Connection of Sacred and Profane His- 
tory (Hai'per). Junior Class (studies elective, five to 
be chosen) : Latin — Plautus' Menaechmi, and Pseuclo- 
lus, Tacitus' Annals, Private Reading, Gildersleeve's 
Grammar, Allen's History of Rome, Latin Composi- 
tion ; Greek — Demosthenes, Euripides, Gi-eek Literature 
(Jebb) , Greek Poets in English Verse, Goodwin's Gram- 
mar, Composition, Lectures; Mathematics — Hardy's 
Analytic Geometry, Venable's Notes on Solid Geometay, 
Hardy's Calculus; Physics — Cumming's Electricity 
Treated Experimentally, Houston and Kennelly's Alter- 
nating Currents, Lectures; Chemistry — Remsen's Lab- 
oratory Manual, Venable's Qualitative Analysis (second 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. Ig5 

edition), Lectures; English — Old English Language 
and Literature, Middle English Language and Litera- 
ture, Lectures, Essays; History — Green's Short History 
of the English People, Myer's Medieval and Modern 
History, Topical Investigation; Political Economy — 
Perry, Jevons, Taussig, Wells; French — Whitney's 
French Grammar, Erckmann-Chatrian's Waterloo Petite 
Histoire du Peuple Francais (Lacombe) , Private Read- 
ing ; German — Joynes-Meissner's Grammar, Grimm, 
Anderson, Hauff, and other prose writers; Biblical Li- 
struction — Bible, Syllabus, Bible Dictionary, Coleman, 
Robinson's English Harmony, Lectures, Evidences. 
Senior Class (studies elective, five to be chosen) : 
Latin — Juvenal (Hardy) , Phormio and Andria of Ter- 
ence, Pliny's Letters, Private Reading, History of Roman 
Literature (Cruttwell) ; Greek — Thucydides, Sophocles, 
^Eschylus, Aristophanes, Lectures, Compai'ative Gram- 
mar, Gayley's Mythology; Mathematics — Byerly's Dif- 
ferential Calculus, Byerly's Integral Calculus, Lectures ; 
Applied Mathematics — Church's Descriptive Geometry, 
Davies' Surveying, Henck's Field Book for Engineers; 
Astronomy and Meteorology — Young's Astronomy, 
Waldo's Elementar}^ Meteorology, Lectures ; Mineralogy 
and Geology — Foye's Handbook of Mineralogy, Le 
Conte's Elements of Geology, Lectures; Chemistry — 
Thorpe's Quantitative Chemical Analysis, Remsen's Or- 
ganic Chemistry; Logic (first term) — Davis' Elements 
of Logic (Deductive and Inductive) ; Constitutional His- 
tory (second term) — Wilson's State, Myer's General 
History; English — English Literature, Poetics, Shaks- 
pere, Milton, Browning, Tennyson, Lectures, Essays; 
Mental and Moral Philosophy — Elements of Psychology, 
(Davis), Haven's History of Philosophy, Lectures; 
French — Whitney's French Gram.mar, Selections from 
Erckmann-Chatrian, Corneille, Racine, Moliere, and 



166 THP] CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Victor Hugo, Private Reading, Composition ; German — 
Joynes-Meissner's Grammar, Hosmer's German Litera- 
ture, Composition, Lessing, Goethe, Schiller; Book- 
keeping and Commercial Law (to be taken as an extra 
or eclectic study) — Text-books i-eserved.^ 

THE TERMS OF EXPENSES ARE: 

Tuition— first Term, $25 00 second Term. . . .$35 00. . . .$60 00 

Room rent, " 10 00 " .... 15 00.... 25 00 

Incidentals, " H 00 " .... 9 00. ... 15 00 

Medical fee, " 100 " .... 2 00. ... 3 00 

Deposit for damages to building's, etc., 2 00 

Day board, in families, per month from 9 00 to 10 00 

Day board, in club, per month from 6 00 to 8 00 

Wood, per cord, from 1 25 to 1 50 

Lights, about, 2 00 

Washing, per month, from 1 00 to 1 25 

2 
GUILFORD COLLEGE. 

For the present purposes enough has been said about 
the Quaker settlements in North Carolina. Their atti- 
tude on the educational question demands further con- 
sideration. George Fox, their founder, was a strong 
advocate of its advantages and necessity. But, owing to 
the peculiar circumstances of their settlement in this 
State, their real educational condition was not known un- 
til 1830 ; and it was then very poor.^ At a Yearly Meet- 
ing of this year committees were appointed to find out 
and report the real condition. To a Meeting of 1832 was 
made the following report : "There is not a school in 
the limits of the Yearly Meeting that is under the care 
of a committee, either of a Monthly or Preparative Meet- 
ing. The teachers of Friends' children are mostly not 
members of our Societv, and all the schools are in a 



1. Catalogue, I8i>{)-1897, pp. 24-26. 

2. Ibid, 189(5-1897, p. 55. 

8. Dr. Nereus Mendenhall, Guilford Collegian, November, 1889, jip. t;;j-G4. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 167 

mixed state.' ' This report moved the Meeting to ap- 
point a committee to get up and send out an address on 
education. Dougan Clark, Jeremiah Hubbard, Nathan 
Mendenhal], Joshua Stanley and David White, consti- 
tuted the committee. They sent out an address, a part of 
which was : " We believe that the Christian and literary 
education of our children consistent with the simplicity 
of our profession is a subject of very deep interest, if not 
of paramount importance in supporting the various tes- 
timonies that we profess to bear to the world, and even 
to the very existence and continuance of the Society."^ 

At the same Meeting they began to raise money, and 
secured $370.55 in subscriptions. Forty-five members 
were appointed a committee to buy a farm, locate the 
school and draw up plans for the building and manage- 
ment. Plans were laid before the Yearly Meeting of 
1832 and adopted, and about $1,200 were pledged for 
carrying them out. The school was located and a char- 
ter secured from the legislature in 1833. The charter 
was obtained through the efforts of Mr. George C. Men- 
denhall, the most prominent Quaker in politics of that 
time. There was then great opposition to the Friends, 
because of their decided views on anti-slavery questions. 
Had a charter for a Quaker school been asked for, it 
would have been refused. The committee appointed ior 
this purpose copied a charter from that of a school at 
Clemmonsville and left blank the name. This was 
passed, and afterwards New Garden Boarding School 
w^as inserted in the blank space. ^ 

The site chosen was about six miles northwest of 
Greensboro and on land just obtained by purchase and 
given by Mr. Elihu Coffin. By 1834 the Friends in 



1. Dr. Mendeiihall. Guilford Collegian, November, 1889, pp. 63-64; President L. 
L. Hobbs, The Earlhamite, Januaiy, 1888, p. 74. 

2 Dr. Mendenhall, Guilford Collegian, November, 1889, pp. 64-05; President 
Hobbs, The Earlhamite, January, 1888, p. 74 ; Catalogue, 1888-1889. p. 9. 



168 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

England had given as much as two thousand dollars. 
In 1837 Mr. Joseph J. Gurney gave $488.88. Two years 
later Mr. George Howland, of the New England Yearly 
Meeting, made a gift of $1,000, and later an equal 
amount. Mr. Roland Greene, of Rhode Island, and the 
Meetings of New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, 
were very liberal in giving to tliis work. Nathan Hunt 
and Jeremiah Hubbard were perhaps the most active 
and influential of the Friends of this State in behalf of 
the proposed institution. From these gifts and the 
credit of the North Carolina Yearly Meeting for five 
thousand dollars buildings were erected. The main 
building was 126x40 feet ; and it was completed for the 
opening, August 1st, 1837.^ 

There were twenty-five boys, and the same number of 
girls, enrolled the first day. Mr. Dougan Clark and his 
wife were the first superintendents. They were both in- 
fluential membei's of the Society and served the school 
with great credit until December 2nd, 1842. Then came : 
Joshua and Abigail Stanley, 1842-47 ; Thomas T. Hunt 
and wife, 1847-49 ; Nereus Mendenhall, David Marshall, 
Aaron Stalker, 1849-59; Jonathan E. Cox, 1859-64; 
John Carter, 1864-68; school rented to Jonathan E. 
Cox, 1868-71, and leased to Mr. Cox and Ezra M. 
Meader, 1871-72; George N. Hartley, 1872-78; Jere- 
miah S. Cox and wife, 1878-80; Jesse M. Bundy and 
wife, 1880-87. At this time the office of superintendent 
was abolished. 2 

The school at once began to make itself felt. The fol- 
lowing is a circular from the trustees made in 1848 : 
"We think it must be apparent to all that the school has 

1. Dr. Mendenhall, Guilford Collegian, November, 18.S9, pp. 65-t;i>; President 
Hobbs. The Earlhamite, Jannary, 1888. p. 75; Catalogues, 1888-1897; Week's South, 
ern Quakers and Slavery, p. 801. 

2. Dr. Mendenhall, Guilford Collegian, December, 1889, pp. 103-100; President 
Hobbs, The Earlhamite, January, 1888, pp. 76-77; Week's Southern Quakers and 
Slavery, p. 301. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 169 

been of great benefit to our youth, — nay, to society at 
large. It has furnished, not only to our body, but to 
the country, many well qualified teachers ; and thus, 
through them, directly exerted an influence for good 
which will continue to spread, and which will no doubt 
be felt by future generations." From the beginning in- 
struction was given in English Grammar, Spelling, 
Reading, Scriptures, Latin, Greek, French, Logic, 
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Natural 
Philosophy, and Physiology. At first no one except the 
children of Quakers could become pupils, but this narrow 
idea was soon abandoned.^ During 1850 there were 
ninety-four students, forty of whom were not Friends.^ 

Some of the quaint customs of those early days are 
very interesting. The girls were kept away from the 
presence of the boys except on rather i-are occasions. 
There was a uniform simplicity of dress ; and the Quaker 
bonnet and coat were rigidly adhered to. " Poaching" 
the hair and wearing whiskers were forbidden. During 
the summer-time recitations were heard before break- 
fast.^ These rules speak for themselves: "In school 
you are to refrain from laughing, talking, whispering, 
or making a noise with your feet ; learning your lessons 
in silence ; and when repeating them to 3^our masters or 
mistresses you are to speak audibly, deliberately, and 
distinctly. In the evening after supper you are again to 
collect yourselves together, <and after the calling of your 
names, retire to your bed chambers and undress in as 
much stillness as possible, folding up your clothes neatly 
and putting them in their proper places."'* 

From 1850 to 1856 the school was very prosperous as 
to numbers, but as to finances a failure. There were 128 



1. President Hobbs, The Earlhamite, January. 1888, p. 86; Dr. Mendenhall, Guil- 
ford Collegian. February. 1890, pp. 161-162. 

2. Week's Southern Quakers and Slavery, p. 301. 

3. Dr. Mendenhall. Guilford Collegian. February. 1890, p. 161. 

4. President Hobbs, The Earlhamite, January, 1888, p. 76. 



170 'JL^HE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

students in 1853, 143 in 1854, and 179 in 1855. From 
1856 the numbers declined, in consequence of sickness 
and the panic which spread over the country in 1857.^ 
During this year it was found out that the institution 
was badly in debt, owing to a bad system of keeping 
accounts and collecting. By 1858 the indebtedness 
amounted to $4,3 73 above all the assets; and later it 
was as large as $27,245.52, with only about $20,000 
w^orth of land, buildings and furniture. In 1860 a com- 
mittee was appointed by the Yearly Meeting to consult 
with the trustees as to paying off the debt by selling the 
whole plant and its appurtenances. The advertisement 
of the sale was made, but before the transaction took 
place it was decided to refer the whole matter again to 
the Yearly Meeting. By the Yearly Meeting of 1861 the 
financial obligations were assumed, and $3,000 were 
subscribed. Soon after this about $15,000 were raised 
by the other Meetings, especially the Indiana and Balti- 
timore ; and by 1865 it was reported that the wdiole debt 
had been liquidated.^ 

In 1861 Jonathan E. Cox rented the school ; and 
he ran it as a private enterprise during the whole of the 
Civil War. When peace came in 1865 the Friends again 
desired to control it as their own institution. This was 
the beginning of a new and greater era. Through all of 
its past difficulties the school had wielded a great in- 
fluence — it was the greatest institution in Southern 
Quakerism. Each year from this on hopes looked 
brighter. The Quakers were making a steady growth in 
North Carolina, though in a very quiet way.^ In 1881 
Francis Thompson King and Dr. J. C. Thomas, of Balti- 
more, gave $22,000. A part of this was used in repair- 



1. Week's Southern Quakers and Slavery, p. 301. 

2. Ibid, p. 302; Dr. Mendenha]!, Guilford Collegian, December, 1889, pp. 104-105, 
January, 1890, pp. 120-127. 

3. Week's Southern Quakers and Slavery, pp. 302, 317. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 171 

ing and enlarging the old building, and in making King 
Hall out of the church, given to the school by the Yearly- 
Meeting in 1882. In 1885 King Hall was burned, but 
the institution stopped only a day ; and during the sum- 
mer of the next year it was rebuilt. In the fall after the 
fire Archdale Hall was erected as a boys' dormitory.* 
The school was now almost ready to change its name 
and to enlarge its sphere of work ; and this was done in 
1888 when it was rechartered as Guilford College.^ 

During the first fifty years of the school's life there 
were at the same time a superintendent and a principal. 
The former was the treasurer, and the latter at the head 
of the school-room work. The principals have been : 
Jonathan L. Slocum, 1837-38 ; John L. Clark and James 
Chase, 1838-39; Nereus Mendenhall, 1839-42; Alfred 
H. Lindley, 1842-44; Jonathan W. Albertson, 1844-46; 
Nereus Mendenhall, 1846-47; William Nicholson, one 
term of 1847 ; Samuel D. Coffin, 1847-49 ; Nereus Men- 
denhall, 1849-52; Dougan Clark, 1852-56; John R. 
Hubbard, 1856-60; Nereus Mendenhall, 1860-66; A. 
Marshall Elliot, one term of 1866-67 ; Samuel C. Collins, 
1867-70; Pendleton R. King, one term of 1870-71; 
George N. Hartley, 1871-78; L. L. Hobbs, 1878-84; 
Joseph Moore, 1884-88.^ Among these were many of 
fine ability and deep consecration, but Dr. Nereus Men- 
denhall ranks as the most distinguished and unique. 
He was born August 14th, 1819 ; took his literary degree 
at Haverford College and M. D. at the Jefferson College 
of Medicine, both in Pennsylvania ; principal of the New 
Garden Boarding School four different times ; a civil en- 
gineer in the survey of the Western North Carolina Rail- 
road ; teacher in the Penn Charter School of Philadel- 



1. Dr. Mendenhall, Guilford Collegian, January, 1S90, pp. 1:2S-129; Catalogue, 
188&-1889. pp. 12, 14. 

2. Catalogues, 1888-1897. 

a. President Hobbs, The Earlhamite, January, 1888, p. 77. 



172 'J'HE CHURCTI AND PRIVATE 

jihiM ; ;i leader in the religious and edueai-ioiial move- 
ments of liis cluireli ; one of the greatest teachci-s ol" tlie 
State ; died October 29th, 189;}.' 

Witli the opening of the school year ISSS-LSSI) l)egan 
a greater life. Tn the place of a high school course and 
faculty were instituted a college cui-riculuni and teaching 
force. Prof. Lewis Lyndon Hobbs, who had been con- 
nectxul with the; hoarding School since 1<S7<), Ixutaine (he 
hrst president ; iind he still serves with n)U(;h success. 
lie was boi'ii at New Garden, now Guilloi-d College, 
Noi-th Garolimi, in 184i) ; entered Haverfoi'd College in 
1S72, where he received A. B. and A. AL ; ])r()fessoi' of 
Creek and Mathematics in New Garden Boarding School, 
187(5-78 ; ])i-inci])al of the same, 1878-84, and professor of 
Giv(!k ;ind Latin, 1881-88.2 

During Ids administration many impi-ovcMuents in the 
way of buildings and equipment have been nnide. A 
large Y. M. C. A. Hall was erected in 1891-1892; and 
ihe Duke Science Hall is now (Febiniai'v, 1898,) ready 
I'or use. The endowment fund amounts to fifty tiiousanil 
dollars. The course of studies is almost as high as that 
of any of the leading colleges in the State. The; grad- 
uates enter the Senior Class at the University of North 
C!arolina without examinations. The faculty from the 
beginning of the college has been com])osed of fi'om 
seven to twelve mendtei's ; and all of these have had line 
ti-aining for their special work. The library has grown 
with the other features until it now has four thousand 
volumes ; and the cabinet of Natural Histoi'y is ainong 
the very (inest in the State. Two degrees, A. W. and B. 
S., are given. The college course embraces lour yeai's ; 
and a two years preparatory department is annexed. 
l>y the endowment fund and the rigid e(H)nomy ol" the 

1. Mm. Mary Mcndcnhall HoV)l)S, Guilford (JollPKiiin, Novciiibor, ISlCi, jip. ^>l-iV.i, 
!Uid Di'i'cinlHT, IS'.))!, pp. na-io."); Week's Southern (iuakor.s and Slavery, p. i;jl. 
'J. (luiH'oi'd Colle^Man, \'ol. VUI., May, IHito, p. 217; Letter from I'residenl Ilobbs. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. I73 

administration the expenses are kept clown to a low 
point. For a year of thirty-eight weeks only $171.00 for 
the college course and $157.00 for the preparatory are 
charged. The institution is co-educational still, as it has 
been through its whole history. The numbers for the 
past nine years have ranged from about 140 to 209, and 
these have been somewhat equally divided among the 
sexes. The Quakers have always advocated that in most 
respects woman is equal intellectually to man ; and New 
Garden Boarding School and Guilford College have 
shown to the people of North Carolina that there is much 
of truth in such views. ^ 

The faculty for 1896-1897 was : Lewis Lyndon Hobbs, 
A. B., A. M., Haverford College, president, Latin, Men- 
tal and Moral Philosophy; Mary E. Mendenhall, B. S., 
Guilford College, English Literature, Rhetoric; J. 
Franklin Davis, A. B., A. M., Haverford College, Greek, 
German; George W. White, A. B., Haverford College, 
treasurer. Mathematics; A. W. Blair, A. M., Haverford 
College, Natural Science, History; Louisa Osborne, A. 
B., Earlham College, governess, assistant in Latin; 
Lydia N. Blair, A. B., Earlham College, English, princi- 
pal of preparatory department; Lillian J. Hill, Draw- 
ing, Painting; Myra xVlderman Albright, Music; 
Samuel H. Hodgin, A. B., Guilford College, assistant in 
preparatory department ; Laura D. Worth, B. S., Guil- 
ford College, graduate of Boston School of Gymnastics, 
Phj'^sical Training. Some of these have been connected 
with the college since its beginning. Among the other 
teachers who have been in the faculty at different times 
are: John W. Woody, A. B., A. M., LL. B., History, 
Political Science, 1888-94; Elwood C. Perisho, B. S., 
Mathematics, 1888-93; Gertrude W. Mendenhall, B. S., 
Natural Science, 1888-91; Mary M. Petty, B. S., Latin, 

1. Letter from President Hobbs; Catalogues, 18S8-1897. 



174 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

History, 1890-93; Walter W. Havilaiid, A. B., Mathe- 
matics, 1892-96.^ There have been but two authors 
among the faculty. In 1891 Prof. Woody published 
Elements of Pedagogy ; 2 and Prof. Davis has written a 
translation of an Anglo-Saxon Grammar. 

Thus has this quiet still interesting old school grown 
from year to year ; and it increases in strength and 
utility as the days go by. As the Quaker Society has 
l)een a unique and beneficial element, so has this insti- 
tution been an educational power in this State. Many 
of its pupils have become leaders in the various fields of 
life; Dr. Braxton Craven is an illustrious example. 
There are a good many proofs that its fine influence has 
been appreciated. Among these is the gift of B. N. and 
J. B. Duke. These generous men in the fall of 1897 
gave ten thousand dollars, with which to erect the 
Science Hall.^ With this additional equipment the col- 
lege starts out on a more hopeful era. 

TRINITY COLLEGE. 

A brief sketch of the eighteenth century Methodism 
in North Carolina has already been given. A few points 
in reference to its growth and development during the 
past ninety-seven years will here be considered. In 1800 
six thousand, three hundred and sixty-three whites, and 
two thousand, one hundred and nine negroes, were re- 
ported from this State.'* Twenty-eight years after this 
the Virginia Conference, of which North Carolina was a 
part, had thirty-five thousand, two hundred and ninety- 
five members.^ In 1838, the year after the formation of 
the North Carolina Conference, there were reported from 

1. Catalogues. 1888-1897. 

•2. Prof. Woody's book in Greensboro Female College Librarj-. 

3. Guilford Collegian, April, 1897, pp. 238-241. 

4. Minutes of the General Conferences, Vol. I., p. 92. 

5. Ibid, Vol. I., p. 558. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 175 

this Conference nineteen thousand, two hundred and 
eight members ;i and at the same time the northeastern 
part of the State belonged to the Virginia Conference ; 
the southwestern, to the South Carolina Conference; 
the western, to the Holston Conference. Since that time 
Metliodisni has had a rapid growth. The North Caro- 
lina Conference, which embraces the eastern half of the 
State, now has a membership of sixty-five thousand, five 
hundred and fifty-four ; 3 and the Western North Caro- 
lina Conference has sixty-eight thousand, seven hundred 
and sixteen.^ 

In 1838 there were no institutions of learning to aid 
the church. Now there are within both conferences 
Trinity College, Greensboro Female College, Weaver- 
ville College, Davenport College, Littleton Female Col- 
lege, and Louisburg Female College; and the high 
schools of Trinity, Burlington and Jonesboro."* Several 
of these schools do not belong to the church ; they are 
only under its protection. Each conference annually 
assesses its membership five thousand dollars for educa- 
tional purposes.^ Trinity College alone receives funds 
from both conferences. The whole of the five thousand 
assessed by the North Carolina Conference is for Trinity 
College. In the Western Conference this amount is dis- 
tributed as follows: Trinity College, $2,900; Weaver- 
ville College, $1,500; Trinity High School, $300; Gen- 
eral Board of Education, $300. '^ Since 1856 Trinity 
College hae played a great part in the growth of the 
Methodist Church ; it has been to this denomination 
what Wake Forest and Davidson have been to the Bap- 
tists and Presbyterians. Too, it has taken a high place 
in our social, educational and political life. 

1. Minutes of the General Conferences, Vol. II., p. 525. 

2. Minutes of the North Carolina Conference, 1897, p. 22. 

3. Minutes of the Western North Carolina Conference, 1897. p. 22. 

4. Ibid, pp. 31-35; Minutes of the North Carolina Conference, 1897, p. 45-16 

5. Ibid, p. 23; Ibid, p. 45. 
a. Ibid, p. 34. 



176 THE CHURCH A.ND PRIVATE 

It had its boginiiing in 1838, though under the name 
of Union Institute. It was first established, and re- 
mained until 1892, in the northwest corner of Randolph 
county, about five miles to the south of High Point. 
Many prominent families lived in this section — the 
Grays, Harpers, Leaches, Hogans, Browns, Johnsons, 
Mendenhalls, Englishes, Tomlinsons and others.^ On 
the north were Quakers; and on the south, Methodists. 
From the union of these came the name of the institute. 
The first school out of which Trinity grew was begun by 
Rev. Brandtly York, D. D., in 1838. He at first taught 
a common school at Brown School-house, an old dilapi- 
dated log structure, about 16x20 feet. This wa.s located 
almost a mile southwest of the present site. In tlie sum- 
mer of 1838 his patrons built a new log house, 24x36 
feet, a few yards northeast of the place where the college 
building was afterwards erected. When his school of 
about fifty pupils, girls and boys, moved into the new 
quarters, about August 12th, the name of Union Insti- 
tute was adopted. 2 

The school at once became prosperous, and in a short 
while there w^as need of more room. By 1840 another 
building was read}' for use. It was a framed house, 
30x65 feet, and divided into two rooms. Soon after the 
erection of this structure there came about a disposition 
on the part of the Methodist children to make fun of the 
Quaker "thee" and "thou," in consequence of which 
the most of the Friends withdrew their girls and boys. 
This brought about a great decrease in the patronage. 
Dr. York's health had been poor for some time. The 
decrease of prosperity and his poor health caused him to 
resign in 1842. The school had made a beginning and, 



1. Dr. Craven, Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, p. 179. 

2. Hon. W. M. Robbins on Trinity College — Its Antecedents — Early Days — Found- 
ers, clipping in Trinity College Historical Museum, from Raleigh Christian Advo- 
cate, published soon after his death ; Rev. B. A. York, Raleigh Christian Advocate, 
August 30, 1893. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 177 

though Dr. York retired at this early period, it had been 
a decided success.^ Rev. Baxton Craven, who had been an 
assistant for a, short while, became principal immediately 
upon Dr. York's resignation ; and he it was who brought 
about those great changes and guided the destiny of the 
institution for forty years. ^ Dr. York was a pioneer in 
education. He was born in Randolph county, North 
Carolina, January 3rd, 1805, died October 7th, 1891; 
educated himself in English Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, 
Moral and Mental Philosophy, Latin, Greek and Mathe- 
matics ; ordained minister of the Methodist Church in 
1837 ; principal of Clemmonsville High School, Davidson 
county, 1842-46; Clin, 1851-5G ; York Institute, Alex- 
ander county, 1856 till the war broke it up; Ruffin 
Badger Institute, Chatham county, 1869-73 ; professor 
of Logic and Rhetoric in Rutherford College, 1873 ; New 
Salem and Randleman High School, 1881-85; traveler 
and lecturer in North and South Carolina, Virginia and 
Arkansas ; teacher for about seventy years and preacher 
for sixty ; instructed fifteen thousand pupils, preached 
five thousand sermons and delivered three thousand 
lectures; blind for about forty years. ^ 

The first year that Mr. Craven taught he was guaran- 
teed two hundred dollars, and as much more as he could 
make from the school. He did not have a regular assist- 
ant for some time ; some of the best pupils in the higher 
classes often aided him in the lower class work. During 
the period 1843-1850 from twenty-eight to one hundred 
and eighty-four students matriculated annually, the 

1. Hon. W. M. Robblns on Trinity College — Its Antecedents — Early Days — Found- 
ers, clipping in Trinity College Historical Museum, from Raleigh Christian Advo- 
cate, published soon after his death ; Rev. B. A. York, Raleigh Christian Advocate, 
August 30, 1893 ; Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, p. ISO; Dowd's Life of 
Braxton Craven, p. 41. 

2. Dowd's Life of Braxton Craven, p. 113. 

3. Rev. B. A. York, Raleigh Christian Advocate. August -23 and 30, 1893; Autobio- 
graphy of Dr. York in manuscript; Rev. M. H. Hoyle, The Western North Carolina 
Methodist, January 9, 189J. 



178 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

general average being about one hundred. The income 
of this period was from $300 to $1,800 a year ; and at the 
same time about $224 were given annually to indigent 
students. The standing of the academy was high, and 
its pupils came from many sections of the Carolinas and 
Virginia. Mr. Craven was but twenty years of age when 
he assumed the principalship ; and as he grew in mental 
strength, his school became larger and more effective. 
In January, 1851, it was rechartered under the name of 
Normal College and begun its second era. During the 
first twelve years of its existence it had grown from a 
little common school to a first class academy. At the 
beginning of this new era, it had a small library and 
two literary societies — Columbian (1846) and Hesperian 
(1850).! 

In 1845 the following subjects were in the course : 
English Grammar, Composition, Elocution, Rhetoric, 
Logic, Mental and Moral Philosophy, Arithmetic, Alge- 
bra, Geometry, Surveying, Mensuration, Analytical 
Geometry, Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, Latin and 
Greek Grammar, Latin and Greek Authors, Botany, 
Chemistry, Geology, Geography, and Anatomy. The 
terms of those days were very low : tuition per session 
$5 ; board and washing per month $4.50 ; a few other 
small items of expense. ^ All of the above subjects were 
taught by Mr. Craven ; and he was at the same time 
doing advanced w^ork as a student in Greek, Latin, 
Hebrew, History, Political Economy, and several other 
branches.^ In 1850 he went to Randolph-Macon College 
and stood examinations on the whole course of studies 



1. Dr. Craven, Centennial of Methodism in Nortli Carolina, pp. lSU-181; Dowd's 
Life of Braxton Craven, pp. 42, 43, .52,53; Hon. W. M. Robbins. 

2. Greensboro Patriot, February 28th, 1845. 

3. Dowd's Life of Braxton Craven, p. 55. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 17O 

of that institution, and obtained the A. B. degree; A. 
M. from tlie University of North Carolina in 1851 ; D. 
D. from Andrew College, Tennessee, and LL. D. from 
the University of Missouri ; born August 26th, 1822, and 
died November 7th, 1882. 1 

At the North Carolina Conference of 1851 the first 
connection between the church and school was made, 
though this was not at all close. The school ran its own 
affairs and supported itself, while the Conference en- 
dorsed it and appointed a visiting committee for the 
same. The normal feature was a failure in the end. 
During its continuance (until 1859) many students took 
this course only and went out known as graduates of the 
college, though in reality they had had but a short com- 
mon and high school training. However, this plan 
brought temporary assistance in the way of a loan from 
the literary fund of the State. In 1853 the charter to 
Normal College was amended, and the institution was 
given power to confer degrees and to perform all other 
acts usually granted to such schools. Section 9 of this 
amended charter is: "Be it further enacted, that the 
President and Directors of the Literary Fund ai'e hereby 
directed to loan to the Trustees of Trinity College the 
sum of Ten Thousand Dollars out of any money not 
otherwise appropriated, at six per cent, interest, to be 
paid semi-annually, upon said Trustees giving bond and 
good security for the same." For some time it seemed 
that the proper security could not be obtained. Hon. 
John A. Gilmer, of Greensboro, then a trustee, came to 
the rescue of President Craven, and the money was se- 
cured. By means of this fund the first brick building, 
now known as the old part, was erected. ^ 



1. Dowd's Life of Braxton Craven, pp. j).5, 5tj, 125; North Carolina Sermons. Vol. 
II., p. 12; General Catalogue of the University of Nortli Carolina, p. 2.'59. 

2. Dr. Craven, Centennial of Methodism, pji.' 181-1S.3 ; Dowd's Life of Braxton 
Craven, pp. 5ft-.57; Catalogue, 18P0-1897, copy of amended charter. 



180 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

From this on the institution prospered more and more 
each year. The first graduating class was in 1853, and 
was composed of D. C. and L. Johnson. ^ The faculty 
consisted of from foui- to six merahers.- The average 
matriculation from 1853 to 1857 was one hundred and 
eighty-seven; and the annual income was about $5,000, 
with $450 given to poor students. In 1858 the trustees 
gave over the property, worth about $30,000, to the 
North Carolina Conference. By the legislature of the 
next year the college was entirely vested in the Confer- 
ence and its name was changed to Trinity. With this 
transfer of property and change of name the normal 
feature came to an end, and the Governor of the State 
was no longer 6.1- officio president of the trus-tees.^ 

The institution had become denominational, but for 
a long time after this the church gave no financial as- 
sistance. Dr. Craven gave his school to the Conference 
and his great life to the Methodists of North Carolina, 
but they have been very slow to return value for value. 
The truth is, that the Methodist Church of this State 
has never stood square by its institutions of learning. 
It has stood still and allowed its greatest character to 
kill himself; and several times its noblest institution 
has almost fallen from the lack of appreciation and 
loyalty. Dr. Craven might easily have made himself 
rich from Trinity College as a private school. His soul 
was too large for such selfishness ; he gave forty of his 
best years, his money and all of that rare and rich per- 
sonality, the superior of which this State has never pro- 
duced. He is one of the few immortal names in our 
whole educational history. 

From 1859 to 1862 the college was at its highest point 



1. Catalogue, 1896-1897, p. 109. 

2. Catalogues, 1854-1859. 

3. Dr. Graven, Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, p. 184; Dowd, pp. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 181 

of prospe^it3^ The matriculations each of these years 
averaged two hundred and four. The income amounted 
to $7,500, besides the losses and gifts to poor boys. 
Everything seemed favorable for an endowment fund 
and a far greater life to the institution. The committee, 
appointed by the Conference in 1858 to secure funds 
with which to erect another building, had obtained in 
subscriptions $15,000. They were about ready to build 
another brick structure of the same size as the first, but 
the war came on and put a stop to improvement and 
almost to life itself. ^ The faculty of 1860-1861 was : B. 
Craven, D. D., president, Metaphysics, Rhetoric, Logic; 
Lemuel Johnson, A. M., Mathematics; W. T. Ganna- 
way, A. M., Latin, Greek ; I. L. Wright, A. M., Natural 
Science, Modern History ; 0. W. Carr, A. B., tutor of 
Greek and English Literature; L. W. Andrews, A. B., 
tutor of Mathematics. 2 These were doing fine work, and 
Trinity College was taking a high rank among Southern 
.schools. Four years were required for graduation after 
entering the freshman class ; and to enter this one had 
to stand on Arithmetic, English Grammar, Latin Gram- 
mar and Reader, Caesar, Ovid, Vergil's Bucolics and six 
books of tlie Aeneid, Greek Grammar and Reader (or 
Graeca Minora) , St. John's Gospel in the Greek Testa- 
ment, Ancient and Modern Geography, Algebra to equa- 
tions of the second degree.^ 

In 1863, Dr. Craven resigned the presidency and was 
pastor of Edenton Street Church in Raleigh for two 
years. Prof. Gannaway was president pro tern during 
this time. The college exercises were kept up, though 
with but few students, until April, 1865, when Gen. 
Hardee's troops encamped near by.^ With the excep- 



1. Dr. Craven, Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, p. 185; Dowd. p. 63: 
Raleigh Christian Advocate, Feb. 22nd, 18b2, reprint from Trinity College Herald. 
•2. Catalogue, ISGO-lStU. 
S. Ibid. 
4. Dr. Craven, Ontenniiil of Methodism in North Carolina, p. 18«. 



182 THI<: CHURCH ANJ) I'llIVATK 

lion of Dr. Craven, tlie faculty was not diniinislied 
throuf^li those gloomy yeai-s. There was but one grad- 
uate in l<Sf)4 — E. II. Tajjscott, and none in 1805.1 Dur- 
ing tliis |)(!riod ahout twenty young ladies matriculated; 
a,nd this was a pleasant and profitable innovation. 
Tiioso woi-e indeed trying (biys ; they tested the college 
in a severe way.- In this connection the long and 
faithful services of Pi-of. (Jannaway deserve considera- 
tion. When he retired from the faculty in June, 1892, 
he had been witli the institution for thirty-five years, the 
longest period of service, with the exception of that of 
Dr. Craven, in its whole history. He was born in Wythe 
county, Virginia, June 10th, 1825; entered Emory and 
Henry College in 1840 and graduated in 1845; took A. 
M. from his AIdki Mater in 1852; principal of Fh)yd in- 
stitute, Virginia, 1845-1854; principal of Masonic Insti- 
tute at Germanton, Noi-tli Carolina, 1854-1857; in 
Trinity College, Creek and Philosophy 1857-58, Greek 
and Latin 1858-03, Greek, Latin and French 18015-00, 
Greek and Latin 1800-70, Latin and History 1870-83, 
Latin, History and French 1883-80, Latin 1880-92. ^ 
He still lives at Trinity, North Cai'olina ; and is the 
same gentleman and scholar that he has ever been. 

During the fall of 1805 Dr. Craven was again elected 
president. The scliool reopened in January, 1800. The 
numbers at first were small , but the prospects brightened 
each year. The college was now in good financial cir- 
cumstances, the debt to the literary board having been 
paid by Dr. Craven individually. The pati'onage in- 
creased rapidly, until there were matriculated over two 
hundred boys in 1870. During the period 1800-1870 
there was an annual avei-age of one hundred and fifty- 



1. OataloKuc, IHyi'i-lHUT, i>. n 1 ; rrdf. (laiiiia wiiy, 'I'riiiily Archive, May, l8St;i, pp. 

2. I'l-of. (iaiinii way , Tiinity Arcliivc, May, ISW!, p)i. .'i'J-l-aiiO. 

3. I'rof. (ianntiway, AiitobioKi'apliy i 'l'i'i"i'y Aivhivo, April, l.'tlCi, pp. 277-280. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 183 

six ; and the income was about )1;G,000 a year.* In 1871 
there was a great demand for more room, and $10,000 
were asked from the Conference of this year. The 
church agreed to raise the amount, and upon the promise 
Dr. Craven began to erect the Chapel. It was ready for 
use by June, 1875. When completed it had cost $14,000. 
The amounts collected from the ten thousand dollar sub- 
scriptions were less than $8,000; and in 1877 tlie del)t 
on the building was $9,725. This was a great burden 
upon the president to the hour of his death. ^ 

Dr. Craven, in his address to the Conference of 1876 
at Raleigh, made the following statement: "From the 
first, a period of thirty-four years, the statistics are as 
follows: losses, six thousand and sixty dollars; gratui- 
tous tuition, eleven thousand three hundred dollars; 
deaths at college, thirteen ; expulsions, twenty-five ; con- 
versions, eleven hundred and fifty-seven. The whole 
number of graduates is one hundred and ninety-eight; 
of these seventy-eight have received A. M. ; thirty-four 
are lawyers; physicians, thirteen; preachers, twenty- 
eight; teachers and professors in colleges, twenty-five. 

Fifteen of the graduates are mem- 
bers of the North Carolina Conference, and thirty-six, 
being one-fifth of the whole Conference, were educated 
in whole or in part at Trinity. "^ To these remarkable 
statements may be added tliat the institution was then 
worth as much as $40,000, of which amount $30,000 had 
been made from the receipts of tuition."* 

For several years before Dr. Craven's death the patron- 
age was becoming small. In 1878-79 there were matric- 
ulated 114; in 1879-80, 101; in 1880-81, 117, and dur- 



1. Dr. Craven, Centennial (if Methodism in Nortli Carolina, p. 180; Dowd, pp. 
(■>6-rt7. 

2. Dowd's Life of Braxton Craven, pp. 68-69. • 

3. ' Dr. Craven, Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, pp. 186-187. 

4. Ibid. p. 18K. 



184 I'HE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

ing 1882-83, the year after his death, 100.' It seemed 
that he had lost his hold on the church to a great extent. 
He liad stood and fought like a hero for almost forty 
years, but now he saw his own dear institution on the 
decline. The heavy debt incurred in erecting the chapel 
bore heavily upon his shoulders; and too, many of the 
strongest members of his church were fighting instead of 
assisting him. He had either made a serious mistake, 
or his fellow-churchmen were very jealous of his noble 
work and influence. It has been said that he was by far 
too ambitious for a bishopric, and consequently made 
enemies out of many of his once strongest friends. There 
is much of truth in this accusation. But if it were en- 
tirely true, it would be no excuse for such cold-blooded 
action on the part of his fellow-churchmen. He had 
done them a service, the like of which this country has 
rarely seen ; and still they opposed him on every side. 

Upon the death of Dr. Craven, November 7th, 1882, 
Prof. W. H. Pegram was elected chairman of the 
faculty ; and he held this position during the year 1882— 
1883. In this connection Prof. Pegram 's long and loyal 
services to the institution deserve mentioning. He 
graduated at Trinity College in 1873 ; tutor in Natural 
Sciences 1873-75 ; professor in the department of Natu- 
ral Sciences from 1875 to the present.^ At the com- 
mencement of 1883 Rev. Marquis Lafayette Wood, D- 
D., was elected president, but he held this position only 
a little more than one year. He was born in Randolph 
county, Noi'th Carolina, October 23rd, 1829; graduated 
at Normal College in 1855 ; joined the North Carolina 
Conference the same year ; missionary to China 1860- 
1866 ; given D. D. by Rutherford College and the Univer- 
sity of North Carolina in 1884; died November 25th, 



1. Catalogues, 1878-1883. 

2. Catalogues, 1873-1897; Trinitj' .\rchive, October, 1894, p. 39 ■. .Manuscript (>i 
I'rof. .1. F. lleitman. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 185 

1893.^ When he began his administration, the college 
was in a bad condition in many ways. There was no 
money, and general demoralization prevailed. The first 
year under him opened with about sixty boys, and there 
were eighty at the beginning of his second year. He 
was not by any means able to pay his faculty in full. 
The Conference had promised the institution $2,500 for 
1883-1884, but only about $800 of this were collected. 
He had been in pastoral duties so long that the rigid 
work of attending to the affairs of a college, especially 
when it was in such a deplorable condition as Trinity 
then was, was not attractive to him ; and he resigned at 
the Conference of 1884.- 

The financial condition of the ten years from 1875 to 
1885 is shown by the following figures : 

^ch^^l^s?;"' Actually Paid. Annual Deficit. 

J875-7(i $1.000 $550.4" $449.53 

1876-77 1,000 525.15 474.85 

1877-78 1,000 415.99 584.01 

1878-79 1,000 394.61 605.39 

1879-80 1,000 398.54 601.46 

1880-81 1,000 304. 15 695.85 

1881-82 1,000 231.83 778.17 

1882-83 1,000 572.30 427.70 

1883-84 1,000 500.00 500.00 

1884, fall term, i year. . . . 500 350.00 150.00 

President Crowell, in speaking of the above figures, 
says: "In these nine and a half years each professor, 
salaried at $1,000, left in the college $5,366.96; four 
professors have virtually given to Trinity College in this 
time the total amount of $21,067.84, or an annual gift 
from each professor of $554.41. The faculty has given 
more to Trinity in these nine and a half years than the 
Conference probably ever has. In short, it is plain that 
a small faculty has been for several years really main- 

1. Journal of the North Carolina Conference, 18s»;-i, pp. 43-4«; General Catalogue 
of the University of North Carolina, p. 24'J. 

2. Prof. Heitiiian's Manuscript. 

.3. President Crowell's Report to the North Carolina Conference of 1888, pp. '28-29. 



186 thp:: church and private 

taining a college belonging to a Conference of 82,000 
people. This college could never have been carried on 
had these men left upon finding out that their salaries 
were not to be paid. They remained for their loyalty to 
the church-college ; they sacrificed their independence ; 
involved themselves frequently because of the uncer- 
tainty of income. They gave, and gave, and gave more 
than all others put together. Their debts were not paid 
by the lapse of a year, yet the Conference never expects 
to pay this enormous arrearage in salaries. Certainly 
no other institution of the church which every member, 
lay and clerical, vows to support has met with such ex- 
periences as her highest educational institution — Trinity 
College. '^1 

At the Conference of 1884 the college was given up to 
a committee, composed of J. W. Alspaugh, J. S. Carr 
and J. A. Gray. These generous men offered to pay into 
the institution $2,500 a year for two years, on the condi- 
tion that the Conference would I'aise the same amount. 
The proposition was accepted and the committee took 
charge at once. Dr. Wood retired as president at the 
close of the fall tei-m of 1884. Rev. John P^ranklin 
Heitman was elected chairman of the faculty, and he 
acted in this capacity until June, 1887. He was born in 
Davidson county. North Carolina, x\pril 17th, 1840; 
student in Trinity College 1861-62 ; in the array 1862— 
65 ; graduated from Trinity College in 1868 ; princi- 
pal of the Kernersville High School 1868-69 ; became a 
member of the North Cai-olina Conference in 1869 ; pro- 
fessor of Greek and German, German and Metaphysics, 
Greek and Metaphysics, Metaphysics and Theology in 
Trinity College 1883-91 ; headmaster of Trinity High 
School 1891-95.2 



1. Tresident Crowell's Report to the North Carolina Coiiferenee of 188,S. pp. '2}^2!>. 

2. I'rof. Ileitman, Autobiography, The Carolina Wesleyan, January 1st, 1892. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 187 

His chairmanship brought about good though quiet 
results. At the beginning the faculty was increased by 
A.W.Long, A. B., and H. H. Williams, A. M. Mr. 
Long was the first regular professor of English the col- 
lege ever had; until that time the work in English had 
been distributed among the professors of other depart- 
ments. During the two years which the committee 
had charge and managed affairs through Prof. Heitman 
$1,000 were spent in repairs and the faculty were paid in 
full; and this had been done but few times, if ever, in 
the history of the institution. The $2,500 promised 
from the Conference was by no means collected in full 
either year, still the committee stood by their promise 
and gave to the college $5,000. By their timely and 
generous assistance they saved its life. When they gave 
it back to tlie Conference of 1886, it was in a far better 
shape than when they assumed its control.^ They had 
shown to the church that with a little money Trinity 
College could live and prosper, though its great founder 
was dead. Prof. Heitman, by his rigid economy and 
close attention to business, had performed a great service. 
He took hold at a time when the old college had almost 
fallen and enemies were fighting on every side ; and 
through it all he stood firm and discharged his duty. 
At the Conference of 1886, Rev. S. B. Jones, D. D., of 
South Carolina, was elected president. He, however, 
did not accept ; and the management again fell upon 
Prof. Heitman. In June, 1887, Rev. J. F. Crowell, A. 
B., was inaugurated as president and the new regime 
began. 2 

Prof. Crowell was but twenty-eight years of age when 
he assumed control of the college, still was full of energy 

1. Manuscript of Prof. Heitman; Journals of the North Carolina Conference, 
1884-1886. 

2. Catalogue, 1887-1S88; Manuscript of Prof. Heitman; The Carolina Wesleyau' 
January 1st, ISSiJ. 



188 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

and of these methods of school work. He was a native 
of Pennsylvania; a regular A. B. graduate of Yale 
Univei-sity, and two years a post-graduate in the same.^ 
He entered into the work with an enthusiasm that over- 
came all obstacles. The institution was still in poor 
financial circumstances. There was at the time of his 
election practically no endowment fund, the gift of $3,000 
made by Dr. Siddell in 1883 having been used for other 
than endowment purposes ; and the Conference collec- 
tion for the year 1887 was only $2, 241. 26. ^ At the 
special meeting of the trustees, April 5th, 1887, at which 
Prof. Crowell was elected president, Mr. J. S. Carr gave 
$10,000 for this fund. During the next year this amount 
was increased to $25,000 more. The Centenary Church 
of Winston became resjDonsible for the pi-esident's salary, 
$1,800 per year for the first three years of his adminis- 
tration ; and the Winston Chair of Political and Social 
Science was designated from this gift. In 1889 Mrs. W. 
H. Avera gave property worth about $2,500 to establish 
a department of Biblical Literature in honor of her hus- 
band.^ 

The requirem^ents for entrance examinations were 
raised to a considerable extent, and these examinations 
were exacted of every matriculate. The whole course of 
studies began an expansion. A larger and far more en- 
thusiastic faculty constituted the teaching force. In 
1891-1892 there were in active service eleven full pro- 
fessors (including the president) and five instructors. 
This was by far the largest and strongest faculty the 
college had ever had ; and it has never been so large 
since. Dui-ing the first two years of President Crowell's 
term of office almost a revolution had been brought 
about : a new life had been infused into the old institu- 



1. The North Carolina Teacher. October, 1887. 

2. .Journal of the North Carolina Conference. 1887, p. 53. 

a. Letter from Dr. Crowell, Northampton, Massachusetts; Catalogues, 1887-189(i. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 189 

tioii and its surroundings ; the curriculum had been 
modernized and deepened ; standards of scholarship 
changed and raised ; patronage increased and many new 
friends made. It now seemed best to move the college 
to some live town for purposes of mutual ])enefits. 
Raleigh offered $35,000 in cash and a site. At the Con- 
ference of 1889, at Greensboro, a resolution to accept the 
offer of Raleigh was made ; and after a great discussion , 
in which Dr. Crowell (Litt; D. from the University of North 
Carolina, June, 1889,) was the controlling force, the 
resolution passed by a vote of 143 yeas and 41 nays. A 
committee, consisting of Walter Clark, J. F. Crowell 
and J. W. Mauney, was appointed by this Conference to 
secure legislation in reference to moving the institution. ^ 

Soon after this action Mr. Washington Duke proposed 
to Rev. E. A. Yates, D. D., then pastor of Trinity 
Church, Durham, North Carolina, that in case Raleigh 
failed to make good her promises he would give $35,000 
for a building and $50,000 on the endowment, if Trinity 
College would move to Durham. When the citizens of 
Raleigh heard of Mr. Duke's proposition, they decided 
to release the college authorities from their contract. 
Then Mr. J. S. Carr, the great philanthropist of many 
noble causes, offered to give a tract of sixty-two and one- 
half acres of land, valued at $25,000. Other citizens of 
Durham subscribed several thousand dollars. These 
offers were accepted, and the college was located about 
one mile west of the thriving little city of Durham. In 
this connection Rev. R. F. Bumpass, the pastor of Main 
Street Church, Durham, should be mentioned as having 
had a good deal of influence upon Mr. Duke in his great 
gift. 2 

Then began the building. By the fall of 1892 every- 

1. Journal of the North Carolina Conference, 1869, pp. 2-5-27; Letter from Dr. 
Crowell; Catalogue, 1889-1890. 

2. Letter from Dr. Crowell; Catalogues, 1889-1897. 



11)0 TILE CHURCH AND PIIIVATE 

thiiiii; \v;is rc^ady I'oi- occii]):in('y aiul tlic institution was 
iransfc'i-ivd. This would have taken ulace one year 
earliei-, had it not been for the crush of the great tower 
in tilt! main l)nihlin^. The plant when (completed was 
anionu;- the very hnest in the vvdiole country : the Main 
liuildinL!,' (M-eeted at a cost of about $<sr), ()()() ; the College 
inn, containing seventy-five (h)i'initori(>s, chapel, dining 
hall and parloi-s, $;54,(MM); tlie Technoh)gical Building, 
$8,000; live residences for the faculty ; water-works and 
(dectric lights in all of the buildings ; and the Main 
liuihling and (-olh^ge Inn heated l)y hot air. The build- 
ings had cost about .$150,000, the most of which had been 
given by Mr. Washington Duke. This building enter- 
prise was the gi-eatest mistake that Dv. Crowell and the 
building coininiltee ever made. Seventy-iive thousand 
dollars would have erected all the buildings the institu- 
tion needed, or will ever need. Had economy been 
shown hei'e, there would now be about $7") ,000 more in 
the endowment fund, (li'eat empty buildings, with little 
equipiiuuit in the way of apparatus, libraries and teachers, 
do not by any means make a true college. This mistake 
was recogni/ed aftei* it was too late to corre(-t it. It 
brought on for the most part the great trouble that came 
to the insticution during 1802-180o.* 

When the college was transferred to Durham, the 
preparatory dei)artinent remained at the old i)lace under 
the guidance of Prof. Heitman. The first year at the 
new place opened up fairly well as to the patronage, but 
troubles came thick and fast. The facnilty was cut down 
to twelve members, one of whom was Judge A. C-. Avery, 
who had a law class only twice a week. During the fall 
lei'in the salaries were paid only in part, a very small 
])ai't at that. At a special meeting oi the tiaistees about 
the middle of (he fall term Pi'esident Crowell and the 



1. lA'ltiT Vriuii I'rcsiilout C^riiWfll; Catalogues, IMlH-lSiiT. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 1<)1 

menibei's of the faculty were called in and questioned as 
to the causes of the general demoralization and coui- 
j)laint.. For some time the relation between the presi- 
dent and the faculty had been very strained, and in some 
ways unpleasant. At this special meeting resolutions 
wei'e passed in reference to the relations of the officials 
of the institution ; and H. J. Bass, V. I^allard, W. H. 
Branson and E. J. Parrish were appointed a finance 
committee. This committee relieved the president of 
all financial duties.^ 

This financial arrangement turned out well, and the 
salaries were paid during the spring term of 1893. The 
most of the money came from Mi-. B. N. Duke and 
brothers. It was at this emergency that Mr. Duke 
ofi:'ered sixty $50 scholarships. These gave tuition to 
sixty worthy boys and at the same time paid into the 
college $0,000 a year.^ Still the real troubles had only 
been settled in part ; the faculty and president were still 
in bad faith with each other. Something was wrong 
somewhere. When the trustees had their meeting dur- 
ing the latter part of the spring term of this year, they 
found affairs in a bad condition. They then began to 
open their eyes ; before this most of them had looked at 
college affairs from a distance. It had come to the point 
that the president or the faculty must resign. The presi- 
dent of the trustees asked Dr. Crowell to hand in his 
resignation. He, however, was given the opportunity 
of defending himself before them. At the close of his 
defense, they voted to give him another year as an ex- 
periment. When this news was made known, J. M. 
Bandy, F. E. Welch, S. B. Weeks, R. L. Flowers, C. L. 
Raper and D. A. Houston, handed in their resignations ; 
and a short while before this J. M. Steadman and J. L. 



1. Letter from Dr. Crowell; Catalogue. 18l*'2-18S)3; Resolutions of tlie Trustees, 
fall of lss)2; the writer was a member of the faculty during this stormy year. 

2. Catalogue, 1892-18»a. 



192 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Armstrong liad done the same thing. Of this number 
all retired in June of that year except R. L. Flowers, 
who remained professor of Mathematics.^ 

This was really the greatest crisis the institution ever 
liad : the place was new and in some parts unhnished ; 
general demoralization prevailed among some of the 
students; the new plant required $10,000 a year for 
heat and light; the faculty were not paid, and in many 
cases their condition was ignored or unappreciated ; Mr. 
Washington Duke had stopped giving ; and for some 
time it seemed that the end had come. Who was to 
blame? This is exceedingly difficult to answer in full. 
Some have said that President Crowell was the sole cause ; 
others have said that the faculty in having their irregu- 
lar meetings and in rebelling somewhat against the 
higher authorities were the cause. The truth is that 
neither the president, faculty nor trustees were alone to 
blame ; all three together had made the mistakes that 
brought on tlie crisis. The president had driven his 
faculty from him by his insincerity, by his attempt to 
absorb all the power into his own hands and by not pay- 
ing any attention to the experience and requests of his 
colleagues. The faculty were perhaps too ready to find 
fault and to talk the failings of the college to the student 
])ody and to the world. The trustees are to be blamed 
lor allowing such enormous extravagance in building 
and in not keeping themselves acquainted with their 
institution's affairs and real condition. 

The writer should hear make an explanation. He was 
in this whole scene, and remembers well those stormy 
faculty meetings and thrilling events of the year 1892- 
1893. Personally he was on good terms with President 
Crowell, but he could not help recognizing a good many 



1. Catalofjue, 1893-1891 ; Letters from those who resigned; the writer as an eye 
witness. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 193 

of his failings. At the same time he was in friendly re- 
lations with all the members of the faculty, and still he 
saw that they went to extremes. He did not meet in 
those irregular meetings on the part of some of the 
faculty, nor did he ever talk about the administration to 
the students or the public. He could not agree with the 
administration as he felt that a teacher should and sent 
in his resignation. Though he was in the midst of the 
fight and still has the faculty and President Crowell as 
his pei'sonal friends, he dares to make a free and frank 
statement and to treat the whole matter in a perfectly 
fair way. 

Dr. Crowell remained president during the year 1893- 
1894, but at the meeting of the trustees, May 1st, 1894, 
he sent in his resignation. The trustees, however, re- 
elected him with a unanimous vote, but he saw fit to 
decline this and retired July 1st, 1894.^ He had given 
the college the seven best years of his life. Though it 
had had many trials during the latter part of his admin- 
istration, still he had done a greal deal for the institu- 
tion. He had found it a small college and had placed it 
among the first institutions of the land. He had given 
to the student body a zeal for true scholarship and in- 
tellectual attainments. He had given it a fine faculty of 
specialists ; also had taken out of his own pocket as 
much as $14, 000, ^ though a poor man. His services 
have not as yet received their due consideration and ap- 
preciation, but as the years go by he becomes a greater 
president and man. He made mistakes, many of which 
wei'e due to the fact that he did not know the North 
Carolina people ; on the other hand he performed a great 
w^ork. In the days to come he will be recognized as one 

1. His two letters to Col. J. W. Alspaugh, published in The News and Observer, 
May, 1S94. 

•2. Letter from Dr. Crowell; Catalogue, 1887-1894; Books of the building commit- 
tee and treasurer. 



194 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

of Trinity's greatest and most consecrated leaders. The 
cluu'ch and trustees owe him a debt that they have made 
few efforts to pay. They have, however, recognized liim 
as one of tlioii' benefactors by naming the Technological 
Building, ei'ccted by liim at a cost of $8,000, tlie Crowell 
Science Building.^ 

During tlie summer of 1894 Rev. .John Carlisle Kilgo, 
A. M., of Woffoi-d College, South Carolina, was elected 
president. He took hold at the beginning of tlie fall 
term of that year; and still guides the institution. He 
was born at Laurens, South Carolina, July 22nd, 1860; 
studerit in Wofi'ord College 1880-1881, from which he 
was forced to leave on account of poor eyes ; taught 
1882; licensed to preach May 27th, 1882, and became a 
member of tlie South Carolina Conference in December 
of the same year; pastor of the Bennettsville circuit, 
Timmonsville, Rock Hill, Little Rock — all in South Caro- 
lina 1882-1888 ; financial agent of Wotford College 
1888-1890; professor of Political Economy and Meta- 
physics in Woffbrd College 1890-1894 ; A. M. from Wof- 
ford 1892 ; D.D.from Wofford and Randolph-Macon 1895.2 
He entered into the work with great enthusiasm and hopes, 
and has done much to place the college on a better foot- 
ing. He is easily the greatest preacher of the Methodist 
Church in the State, and by his great sermons and ad- 
dresses has made a lasting reputation. He has increased 
the endowment by $100,000 ; the productive fund is now 
$125,000 and the property is worth $200,000. ^ He has 
made his student body characteristic and loyal. His 
tight against State aid to higher education has been in- 
tense and al)le, though it seems that lie has accomplished 
very little thei-eby. Tlie institution is now coeducational. 



1. Letter Iruin Dr. Ci'Dwell; Catalogue, LSSIC-LSHT. 

2. Trinity Archive, October, 1S94, pp. 2-:i ; Catali>gues, 1895-1897. 

3. Letter from President Kilgo; Journal of the North Carolina Conference, 1897, 
•22. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 195 

This plan was inaugurated by Dr. Crowell ; and it has 
now by tlie gift of $100,000, given by Mr. Washington 
Duke, December 10th, 1896, become an established 
feature. This gift was made on the condition that 
women be admitted on equal terms with men.^ 

The donations to tlie institution during the last ten 
years have been large foi' Southern schools. The college 
has had enough given to it in this time to be in the best 
financial condition of any school in the country. How- 
ever, it is still in rather poor circumstances. The follow- 
ing have been the main gifts: J. S. Carr, $10,000 en- 
dowment and land worth at least $25,000 ; J. F. Crowell, 
$14,000; Dr. J. A. Cunninggim, George Watts, J. A. 
and J. M. Odell, each $1,000 ; W. R. Odell, $500 ; Wash- 
ington Duke, $275,000; B. N. Duke, brothers and Mrs. 
R. E. Lyon, $7,500 a year for three years ; B. N. Duke 
$2,550 on Dr. Crowell' s salary, salary of private secre- 
tary for some time, deficits on current expenses, often 
amounting to $7,000, for the past three years. There 
have been a great many more generous donors. The 
library, which has about 10,000 volumes, has received 
a large number of small gifts ; so has the historical 
museum.^ 

As far as the writer can find out the faculty of the col- 
lege has been as follows : Rev. Braxton Craven, A. M., 
D. D., 1851-82; Rev. A. S. Andrews, D. D., 1851-54; 
Hon. W. M. Robbins, A. M., 1851-54; L. Johnson, A. 
M., tutor, 1853-55, 1855-84 ; I. L. Wright, A. M., 1855- 
65; W. T. Gannaway, A. M., 1857-92; 0. W. Carr, A. 
M., tutor, 1855-63, 1866-78 ; Rev. J. H. Robbins, A. M., 
tutor, 1855-59 ; Rev. J. H. Speed, A. B., 1856-57; R. 
H. Skeen, A. M., 1858-60 ; L. W. Andrews, A. M., tutor, 
1860-63 ; J.W.Young, 1864-65 ; Rev. Peter Doub, D. D., 

1. Mr. Duke's letter. The News and Observer, jleeember 11, 1896. 

2. Letter from President Kilgo; Mr. Duke's books; Letter from Dr. Crowell: 
Catalogues, lfc87-1897. 



196 'J^HE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

18GG-70; AV. C. Doub, A. M., 1860-73; Rev. J. H. 
Tucker, A.M., 1871-72; Rev. W. H. Pegram, A. M., 
tutor, 1873-75, 1875-; C. P. Frazier, A. B., asst. pro- 
fessor, 1878-79; J. D. Hodges, A. M., 1879-82; Rev. J. 
M. Ashby, A. M., 1882-83; Rev. J. F. Heitman, A. M., 1883- 
91; Rev. M. L. Wood, D. D., 1883-84; J. A. Elliot, A. 
B., tutor, 1884-85; N. G. English, A. M., 1885-92; J. 
M. Bandy, A. M., 1885-93; 11. H. Williams, A. M., 
1885-86; A. W. Long, A. B., 1885-87; Dred Peacock, 
tutor, 1886-87 ; G. N. Raper, tutor, 1886-88 ; J. L. Arm- 
strong, A. M., 1887-93 ; J. H. Hathcock, tutor, 1887-88 ; 
William Price, A. B., 3888-89; F. E. Welch, A. B., 
1889-93; Rev. L. W. Crawford, A. M., 1890-93; J. S. 
Bassett, Ph. I)., instructor, 1890-91, 1894- ; J. M. Stead- 
man, B. S., 1891-93 ; H. A. Aikins, Ph. I)., 1891-92; 
S. B. Weeks, Pli. D., 1891-93 ; B. C. Hinde, A. B., 1891- 
94; W. I. Cranford, Ph. D., tutor, 1890-91, instructor, 
1891-92, 1893- ; W. T. McDowell, A. B., tutor, 1891-92; 
B. B. Nicholson, Ph. B., tutor, 1891-92, 1893-94; R. L. 
Flowers, instructor, 1891-93, 1893- ; Hon. A. C. Avery, 
LL. D., 1892-93; C. L. Raper, A. B., instructor, 1892- 
93; D. A. Houston, A. B., instructor, 1892-93; J. L. 
Weber, A. B., 1893-94; E. T. Bynum, A. B., instructor, 
1893-94; A. PL Merritt, A. B., 1893- ; Rev. Olin Bog- 
gess, A. B., B. D., 1893-95 ; Jerome Dowd, 1893- ; Edwin 
Minis, M. A., 1894- ; Rev. J. C. Kilgo, A. M., D. D., 
1894- ; M. H. Arnold, A. M., 1894-95 ; M. H. Lockwood, 
E. E., 1894-97; F. S. Aldridge, tutor, 1895-96; W. H. 
Adams, tutor, 1895-97; W. P. Few, Ph. D., 1896- ; J. 
I. Llamaker, Ph. D., 1897- ; P. V. Anderson, C. C. 
Weaver, Z. F. Curtis, and S. L. Dent, tutors, 1896-97.1 
The faculty at present, as it has been for some time, is 
able and conservative. There are among its members 



]. Catalogues, ISoi-iss*?; W. II. I'egmiii, Trinity Arcliive, October, 1894 ; Newsand 
Observer, August 'JU, ISflT. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 197 

Ph. D. gi-aduates of Johns Hopkins, Yale, Harvard and 
Cornell, and students of the U. S. Naval Academy and 
German Universities.' The publications of the faculty 
do not number many volumes, but are equal to those of 
any North Carolina institution. They are as follows : 
Common School Grammar by Brandtly York in 1854, 
which with his High School Grammar has gone through 
four editions •,^ Dr. Craven's Revisal of Bullion's English 
Grammar, 1863; L. Johnson, Common School Arith- 
metic, 1864; Analytical Arithmetic by J. M. B^ndy, 
1890 ; English Grammar by J. L. Armstrong, 1891 ; 
several historical works by S. B. Weeks and J. S. Bas- 
sett ; Jerome Dowd, Sketches of Prominent Living North 
Carolinians, 1888, Life of Braxton Craven, 1896.3 The 
students have had four publications : The College Herald, 
1881-82; Trinitij Magazine, 1883; Trinity Archive, now 
in its 12th volume ; Historical Publication, 1897.'* 

The course of studies is as high as that of Davidson, 
given in another part of these sketches. Since the col- 
lege moved to Durham there has been no regular pre- 
paratory department. Howevei", there have been several 
classes of sub-freshman work. At the last sessions of 
the North Carolina and Western North Carolina Con- 
ferences it was decided to introduce a preparatory de- 
partment, beginning with the fall of 1898. For the past 
three years none but A. B. and A.M. degrees have been 
given. Dr. Crowell had brought in B. S. and Ph. B. ; 
also had organized a Law department under Judge A. C. 
Avery, a department of Theology under Rev. L. W. 
Crawford upon the completion of which B. D. was given, 
a department of Civil Engineering with C. E. degree 
under Prof. J. M. Bandy. All tliree of these depart- 

1. The News and OViServer, August 26, 1897. 

2. Rev. B. A. York. 

;i. Works in the writer's library ; also in Greensboro Female College Library, 
A. WM. 



198 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

ments bad an existence of but little moi-e tban two years. 
Tbe plan of President Kilgo bas been to limit tbe field 
and intensify tbe work. Tbe terms are very low in con- 
sideration of tbe advantages ; $50 only are cbarged for 
tuition per year. ^ 

Tbus bas Trinity College grown, labored and suffered. 
It bas bad a very interesting bistory, tbougb it bas not 
been written ; and tbis sketcb is by far too brief. Tbe 
internal bistory of tbe old college, like tbat of every 
scbool, can not be written in words, but only in tbe lives' 
and bearts of those wbo bave been connected tberewitb. 
Trinity College bas sbown itself in many an emer- 
gency. It bas now a brigbter field. Tbe present ar- 
rangement of baving two full professors in tbe depart- 
ment of Englisb will produce results as yet not boped 
for. Tbe bistorical work begun by Dr. Weeks and now 
kept up under Dr. Bassett bas been able ; and really 
tbis institution is among tbe pioneers in sucb work. 
Tbe Historical Society organized in 1892 still becomes 
deejDer and stronger; and its collection, known as tbe 
bistorical museum, is becoming large and valuable.^ 

ST. Mary's school. 

Tbis bas been one of tbe famous private scbools for 
girls of tbe State. Wbile the principals have been mem- 
bers of tbe Episcopal Church, still tbe church had noth- 
ing to do with tbe school until 1895. At that time it 
was made a Diocesan institution.^ The property was 
purchased by tbe Diocese of North Carolina in May, 
1897, at a cost of $50,000; and Bishop J. B. Cheshire 
has taken tbe field to secure $100,000 for an endowment 
fund.^ It has bad a long and interesting existence, and 



1. Catalogues, 1887-1897. 

2. Catalogues, 1891-1897. 

S. Letter from Principal Bennett Smedes. 

4. The Newtfi and Observer, May 15, 1897. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 199 

its history deserves to be written iii detail. However, 
these sketches have ah-eady become too extensive, and 
the remaining part will have to be given in somewhat 
condensed form. 

The school was opened in 1842 by Rev. Aldert Smedes, 
D. D., and since then it has never closed its doors. Its 
location is about one mile from the State Capitol. With 
an oak grove of twenty acres and six quaint buildings, 
it is a very attractive spot. This has been made sacred 
by the great ability and consecration of its founder. He 
was its guide and almost its very life for thirty-six years. 
He was great and conspicuous in his church, but greater 
still in his school work. He has made St. Mary's a 
household word in as many as five thousand homes all 
over the South ; during the hrst fifty years, 1842-1892, 
there were enrolled forty-seven hundred and fifty differ- 
ent jjupils. His charities wei'e far greater than most 
people can or will give. He had an income apart from 
his school, hence did not make this a mere money mak- 
ing concern. His chief aim was to train lady-like, re- 
fined and Christian women. ^ He was born in New York 
City, April, 20th, 1810; educated at Columbia College, 
Transylvania University, Kentucky, and the General 
Theological Seminary of his church in New York ; as- 
sistant rector of Chiist Church, New York City, and 
rector of St. George's Church, Schenectady, New York ; 
D. D. from the University of North Carolina in 1854;- 
died at Raleigh, April 2r)th, 1877.=^ 

At his death his son Rev. Bennett Smedes, A.M., took 
charge, and he has run it to the present.'* His father 
had set a high example and standard to follow, still the 

1. Dr. K. p. BatUe's Centennial Address on Raleigh, 1892, p. 70 ; Dr. Battle. North 
Carolina Univer.sity Magazine, November, 1S9S; Bishop Cheshire, Senii-Centen- 
nial Address at St. Mary's, 1892; Our Living and Our Dead, Vol. III., p. 115. 

2. General Catalogue of the University of Nortli Carolina, p. 240. 

3. Dr. Battle, North Carolina University Magazine, November, 189.3. 

4. The News and Observer, May 15, 1897; Letter from Principal Smedes. 



200 'J^'HE (.'HURCH AND PRIVATE 

son has in no way fallen short. During 1896-1897 there 
were enrolled one hundred and fifty-five pupils, and 
the faculty consisted of fifteen members. Among the 
strongest teachei-s under Dr. Aldert Smedes were : Misses 
E. A. Evertson and O'Connor; Mesdames Clement and 
Gonye ; and Mrs. Iredell. There have been equally as 
strong ones under the administration of Mr. Bennett 
Smedes. Among these may be mentioned as leaders : 
Mrs. Kate de R. Meares ; Misses M. E. J. Czarmonska 
and E. D. Battle. The library of the school contains 
twenty-five hundred volumes ; and the principal's of the 
same size is open to the pupils. There has been but one 
author among the teachers — Mrs. Annie C. Ketchum, 
Lotus Flowers and a text book on Botany. TJte Muse is 
the name of the students' publication. The course of 
studies is not much different from that of Salem Female 
Academy ab-eady considered. The terms have recently 
been reduced. For tuition in English Bi-anches, Latin, 
Class Singing and Elocution, washing, use of the library. 
Music from an assistant, $240 are charged.^ 

ASIIEVILLE FEMALE COLLEGE. 

This school goes back to 1842 for its beginning. ^ Its 
early history has not been ascertained. However, the 
MH'iter has made every effort to do so, but has met with 
no success and little appreciation. It was the property 
of the Holston Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, until 18(5G, when it passed over to a joint 
stock company, composed for the most part of Asheville 
citizens. Drs. Erasmus Rawley and Cummins were 
among the presidents before the Civil War. When it 
became the property of the stock company Dr. James S. 
Kennedy was elected president ; and he held this posi- 

1. Catalogue, 1896-1897; Letter fidin I'iinciiMil Smedes. 

2. Catalogue, 1897-1898: Letter from J'rof. B. K. Atkins, (iastonia. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 201 

tion for about ten years. Then Rev. J. R. Long served 
as presiding officer for two years. From 1S7S to 1879 
the institution was suspended.^ 

In September of 1879 Rev. James Atkins, A. M., D. 
D., assumed control, and was at its head for ten years. 
Rev. S. N. Barker, of Texas, was president 1889-1890; 
and B. E. Atkins, A. AL, 1890-1893.3 i^ the fall of 
1893 Dr. James Atkins, who had been president of 
Emory and Henry College, Virginia, for four years, 
came back. He again had control until the summer of 
1896, when he was elected Sunday School Editor of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. During the year 
1896-1897 it was kept up by Mrs. James Atkins. Last 
summer the property was sold to Archibald A. Jones, A. 
M. In 1887 the present building was erected by Dr. 
James Atkins at a cost of $30,000. During the eighteen 
years with which he was connected with it, as president 
of the faculty or of the trustees, it had an annual enroll- 
ment of about one hundred and fifty ; and the pupils 
came from almost every State in the South and from 
Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska.^ The course 
of studies was equally as high as that of any of the 
female schools in the State ; and the faculty was com- 
posed of about twelve members. Board, furnished 
rooms, fuel, lights, and tuition in the literary branches, 
cost $225 per year of thirty-eight weeks; Music, Art, 
Elocution, Book-keeping, French, German, were extras 
and cost from $10 to $35 each.'' 

Mr. Jones, who was president of Central Female Col- 
lege, Lexington, Missouri, 1889-1897, has enlarged the 
faculty, extended the curriculum and increased the ex- 
penses to a considerable extent. Ihe faculty for 1897- 

1. Letter from Prof. B. E. Atkins. 

2. Ibid. 

a. Ibid; Catalogues, 1890-1808. 
4. Catalogues, 1890-1890. 



202 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

1898 is composed of iuiirteen members. The courses ad- 
vertised in English, Latin, Greek, Freiicli, Gei-maii, 
Matliematics, Physics, Cliemistry, Geology, Philosophy, 
and History, are as extensive as those given by any of 
the higher institutions for men in the State. There is a 
preparatory department of considerable scope. It is 
very probable that this will have about all of the pupils, 
and that the high coui'ses given in the catalogue are 
only ideal standards. Board, lights, heat, tuition in 
regular courses, for scholastic year amount to $325 ; and 
Music, Art and Elocution are extras and cost from $15 
to $45.1 

(iREENSlJOUO I'KMALE COLLEGE. 

This institution i-anks among the very first in age and 
influence. Its history has been varied and interesting. 
It was born and reared as a child of the Methodist 
CJhurch ; and, though at one time it was abnost foi'saken 
by the church, it still loves and supports its dear old 
mother. Its charter was ratified December 28tli, 1838 ; 
and this was the second regularly chartered female col- 
lege south of the Potomac- The Wesleyan Female 
College of Macoii, Georgia, which claims: the record of 
being the first regulai'ly chartered college for women in 
the woi'ld, had its charter confirmed by the legislature 
of that State December 23rd, 1836. •* There are several 
female scliools, like Salem Female Academy, older than 
either of these institutions, but they were not recognized 
by law as colleges at sncli an eai'ly date. 

By 1830 the Methodists of Greensboro were strong 
enough to build a church. A short while after the 
church was erected, a little scliool was begun foi- the 
children of the membei-s. Miss Phoebe Jutlson was in 



1. Catalogue iind circuhir announcemeiits for 1897-1898. 

2. Dr. T. M. Jones, Contonnial of Methodism in North Carolina, ]>. JOii. 

3. C. E. Jones' Education in (jeorgia,p. 9J. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 203 

charge of this for some tirae.^ This school was the be- 
ginning of the movement to establish Greensboro Female 
College. In 1837 the trustees of the school sent a peti- 
tion to the Virginia Conference, which met at Peters- 
burg, Virginia, January 31st. It was at this time and 
place that the North Carolina Conference was given a 
separate existence ; and the petition from the trustees 
of the school in Greensboro set forth the necessity of 
having a female institution of liigh rank under this new 
Conference. Revs. Moses Brock, Peter Doub and Samuel 
S. Bryant were appointed a commictee to consider this 
petition. They, after careful deliberation, introduced to 
the Conference resolutions, which were adopted and are 
as follows : 

''Resolved, 1. That the Conference will co-operate with 
the trustees of Greensboro Female School, provided that 
one-half the number of the board of trustees shall at all 
times be members of the North Carolina Conference. 

"Bcsolved, 2. That the board thus constituted shall 
petition the Legislature of North Carolina for a proper 
charter for aseminary of learning, to be called the Greens- 
boro Female College. 

''Resolved, 3. That the Conference appoint Moses Brock, 
Hezekiah G. Leigh, William Compton, Peter Doub, John 
Hank, James Reid, Bennett T. Blake, William E. Pell 
and Samuel S. Bryant, trustees, to carry into effect the 
object contemplated by the pi-evious resolutions. 

"Resolved, 4. That the Bishop be recj[uested to appoint 
an agent for the pur230se of raising funds for this object. 

Moses Brock, Chairman.'' ^ 

Rev. Samuel S. Bryant was appointed financial agent. 
Revs. Moses Brock, Ira T. VVyche and James Reid fol- 
lowed him in the same position. During the latter part 
of 1837 two hundred and ten acres of land, on the western 



1. Miss Ruth York, College Message. November, 1897. 

•2. Dr. Jones, Centennial of Methodi.sm in North Carolina, pp. 100-161. 



204 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

side of Greensboro, were purchased at a cost of $3,350. 
Forty acres were laid oft' for college purposes, and the 
remaining part was sold in town lots for about as much 
as the original tract had cost. The money for the build- 
ing came in very slowly ; those were times of great busi- 
ness and financial depression. The trustees, however, 
went on with the work, and borrowed money on their 
individual notes. In September, 1843, the corjier stone 
was laid and by the summer of 1845 the building was 
completed. It was built of brick, three stories high, and 
contained thirty-six rooms. From first to last it had 
cost as much as $20,000, a large part of which was still 
unpaid. Some time later the debt incurred in the build- 
ing was consolidated by a loan of $7,000 from the liter- 
ary fund of the State. Rev. Peter Doub, D. I)., was 
perhaps the most active and influential of all those who 
took part in this educational enterprise. During those 
early days Mrs. Susan Mendenhall, of Guilford county, 
made a gift of $4,000, one of the largest individual dona- 
tions ever made to the institution.^ 

On February 1st, 1846, the first faculty was elected, 
and Rev. Soloman Lea, A. M., became president. He 
was born at Leasburg, Caswell county, North Carolina, 
November 21st, 1807; graduated with A. B. from the 
University of North Carolina in 1833 ; A. M. from the 
same in 1838 ; tutor in Randolph-Macon College 1835- 
37; president of Farmville (Virginia) Female Seminary 
1841-43 ; principal of Somerville Female Institute, Leas- 
burg, 1847-92; died April 30th, 1897. ^ The first work 
of the college began April 15th, 1846. The faculty was 



1. Dr. Jones, Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, pp. 161-162; C. C. 
Weaver, Trinity Archive, November, 1890; Catalogues, 1S9'2-1898, historical sketches. 

2. General Catalogue of the University of North Carolina, p. 161; Rev. R. H. 
Broom, North Carolina Christian Advocate, June 2, 1897; Dr. Jones, Centennial of 
Methodism in North Carolina, p. 1«2; Letters from Rev. Soloman Lea to President 
F. L. Reid, March 25, April 21, 189ii, Greensboro Female College Library ; Miss Wil- 
helniina Lea, Trinity Arcliive, February, 1898. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 205 

composed of five members. The course of studies was 
very much the same as in Edgeworth Female Seminary 
at that time. The expenses were as follows : board and 
tuition in the prepai-atoi-y department, five months, 
$62-$65 ; board, washing, fuel, lights, tuition in college 
course, with Music, French, Drawing, Painting and 
Needle- work, five months, not more than $100.^ 

The first term was of but three months duration, and 
there were enrolled sixty pupils. During the fall term 
of the fii'st year there were one hundred, sixty of whom 
were boarders. The income from the students for the 
first term was not sufficient to pay the salaries in full, 
but during the second after the salaries were paid there 
was a surplus. The salary of the president was $1,000; 
matron, Mrs. S. Blake, $1,000; Rev. Bennett T. Blake, 
professor, $500 ; Mrs. Sophia Lea, Music, $500 ; Miss 
Phoebe Judson $300. Mr. Lea did his best to make the 
college a success ; and he succeeded well, though several 
occurrences of an unpleasant nature took place. There 
was a great deal of discord in the faculty. Mr. Blake, 
who was a prominent member of the Conference, was 
])rofessor of Mental and Moral Science, chaplain, secre- 
tary of the trustees and treasurer of the college ; and he 
wanted to have a very large part of the management in 
his own hands. He, Mrs. Blake and another member of 
the faculty, whom Mr. Lea calls the "Northern mischief 
maker," stirred up discord unless they were allowed ab- 
solute authorit3\ Mr. Lea soon found out that he could 
not run the college with such discordant elements in its 
faculty, and resigned in December, 1847.^ 

Upon the resignation of Mr. Lea, Rev. Albert Micajah 
Shipp was elected to the presidency. He took hold in 

1. Catalogue. 18J6; Greensboro Patriot, February 7. lS4ti. 

•>. Journal of Greensboro Female College, 1S4.6-18S.5, p. 40; Greensboro Patriot, 
December 11. 1S47; Manuscript of Mr. I^a in Greensboro Female College Library 
written to President Reid in 1898. 



200 



TWi: ( lli;i|('|| AM) I'KIVATK 



.J;inu,'iry, 1818, ;iim| resigned .hiuc, 1850. |)iiriii(r his 
l-'TMi of Ivvo ;iiii| one li;iir ycjii'M (lie i iistit ill ion j>r()H|)(!rc(l 
(iV«'ii Ix'yoiid iJic lii<_',lMMl ''Xp<'<;(,!il,iotiH. Twoiily-six 
y«»iiii>^ woiiifii ^rndiiMlcd under liiin, ;ind iIk' (in;i,ii(H'H 
vvciv' pnl' in ;i. 'onifvvlijir Id'iicr slijijifi 'rhon<.di lie wms 
nol, (•.(Minnctcd vviili il Ion;; cnon^li lo !.•• ( onsidrMvid omo 
of it,H ^V('!\X prcHidcnlH, still In- w;i,h one ol I lie ^'rejUCHt. 
(•li;i,r!i,el(TH evec williin il-H walls. \\c wmh horn in SlokcfH 
eonn(,y, Norlli (!iU'olina,; nf;,,|ii;,|(.d yvilli A, I',, deure*! 
IVoni Mie (hiivcrHily of Norlli Carolina, in I8'1(), A. M. in 
I8'in; I). I). i-n,\u l.'andolpli Ma'.Mi ( lolJe^M- I8r)!>; IJ.. 
I> IVonillie (Iniveri.ily ol N'orlli Carolina 188:;; pastor 
fi,i < 'harleslon , (Johnnlda,, Snnil-(!r and (Mi(M'a,w, SoutJi 
Carolina, and l*'ayel,t(rvill<s North Cai-olina ; professor of 
Mai iKMnal.ies and h'reneh in < » reenshoi'o P'eniale < 'o||e^(! 
■'"' 111'' :anie lime he was president.; professor of History 
in III'' (lniv(;i-sil,y of NorlJi Carolina., 1 8 |!)-i 8r)!>, and ol" 
l''rene|i I8r.()-|8r,;5 ; president of WoUord Colleoc,, Soillli 
Carolina, 1 8011- 1 87o ; professor of ISxe^cTn-al Tln'olo^y 
ill Va.nderhili Cniversilv I87(;-I88t;, of wliifli he wa,H 
dda.ii of the l.lieol()nic;d deparl nienl. and vi<'i' ehaneelloi' for 
three yea.rs ; wrote History of Method ism in South Cai'o- 
I inn, 1 88 I ; died al (!|ier;iw. South ( Carolina, .lidy liT, 1887.- 
In .June, |8r>(), |;,ev. Clla,rl(^s h\)\-cA\ Deems was (dectcd 
III'' third presidenl.. H(! was so vviOl and fa.vorahly known 
llia.l. il. seeMM'd i|i;ii, ;i uew era. had he;j,nn when h(^ ;is- 
siiined ihe ma najM'nienI . lie was h(»rn in I5a.ll innn'e, 
Maryla.n.l, Dee.ender llli, I8'J0; sl.udenl. al, l)i(;kinson 
Colh'^'e, rennsylvania , I8;; j-j 8:;'.>, wlieri^ he ^I'adiialcd ; 
pr(^a(•llel• in New ^'ork City |8:;'.)-|0; a.^cuil (.f I he ,\ mei-- 
i<'aii I'dhle Soc.ii^l.y in North Carolina. 18 10-18 12; a.djiincl. 
professor of Lo^ic. and IMn^Loric. in tlio nniv(U'sit.y of 

I. .I'MM mil III' (;i MHliurn ji'riii/ili' (liilli'K'', IMKl IHHIi, p. 10; (ii iiHliorn I'/il fliil , 

I' iiihi'i' II, IMIV; MiiiiiiMcrl|il nl' Mr, l/cii. In (ircciiMlinrii I''<'iiim Ir enllr^/c Mhriirv, 

wi'llli'ii Id I'lTHldi'iil Ki'lillii jHlill: Dr. .loni'H, Cciiliiiiiliil ul' .Mil IhkIImiii In Niirlli 
Ciiriillini. |i. nil; <:ii,lM|(p)/.nrH, \hW. IMtlH, 

a, (li'in-r/il (1(1,1 iiluK r Mil. I'nIvcrHllv nl' Norlli CMrnllmi, |)|i. .ho, ;'oV, ■!ll ; LrlliT 

I'l MlHM HiiMlc V, Hlilpi), ('In'r/iw.Snnl.l'i <:iM'i>lliwi. 



SCHOOLS oi'' Noirrii cakolina 



207 



Noflli ( ';ir(»rni;i, |.S|-J-|S|S; profrssor of N;i-hi r;i,l Sf.'u'iicc 
ill l;;iii(|(.l|.li-M;Mtoii ('(.||.M.(, IHIS-IS ID ; |). I). iVoiii i:;i,ii- 
• liilpli M;ic(iii I'Sr*.'!; roiiiidci' of I li(; r<'iii;i.l'' H('.li(»(»ls in 
'rii()iii;isv 1 1 li' ;iii(l \\'il^<)ll; luiiiKlcr .•iiid |»;ist<)r <>\' tlic 
('liiircli of llic Slr;iii;i,('rs ill New >'(»i-k ('ily IS70-IS<>:{; 
lil>. I). (Voiii ilic Hiiivcrsil-y of Norlli ( !;ii-()liii;i, IS77; 
loiiiidcr . '1,11(1 cdiliU' <;!" lJ)(; /\ liici'ic.'i li liisliliiln of (!lii'is- 
li;iii riiil()S(»|)liy I HS l-l H');; ; c.ljldr of livn diircrcnl, 
pjipcrs; ;iiilli<)r(»r ;is iii;iiiy as l-wfiily volumes; died in 

New ^^>!•l< <!i(.y, N()v<'iiii.ci- isiJi, IS'.);;. I 

lie Itroii^dil. new liff and niclJiods, and the sc-lnMtl !)<■ 
(•aniit vi'fv |)r()s|)cr()iis, hiiiin;,'; llic li rsl sclinlasl ic yca^r 
Milder him mn' liuiidi'<'d and I li i rl y-scveii pii pi Is malrieii- 
laled ; and I. his was lln- cnrollmcnl foe tlw next/ yca.f. 
'V\\i' rooms were all lilh'd, and many iiion^ pupils would 
lia,V(! ('iitfMN'd had llw ac,c(»iii modal io'is liccii sii (rK'iciil . 
ri'csidciil. |){'ciiis ask<'d lli<: Irnsl-ccs (or iiiori' room. 
They w<',ro aJi'oa-dy Inirdeni'd wilii ihi^ doht of iJk; lir.^i, 
liuildiiij^ a,iid were nn willin;.', lo i ii<',rcas(^ this. It, wa.s in 
this ('.nKir^'cnc.y iJial i'r<'sid<'iil- i)c('nis in lHr>'J ma,d»' llie 
.$20, 000 proposition. It, was as follows : t,lia,t, l,li(r N(»i't h 
('a,r()lina, ( 'onrt'roncc collect- and pay over $'20,000 l,o tluf 
1rilHl,(U!H; that, the t taiHl,(',(!H ^ive hoard and I, nil, ion l,o I, he. 
(Iaii)j;lil,ers of all iIm^ mi n i^Jers o|' ihe ( 'on l'er<'iie,e ;i,|, |,|i;i,| 
time, and alYcirwards to ten a,iiiina,lly during t.lie life of 
(,lie instil, lit, ion . This at, iIk^ time seemed a Hphiiidid 
propo.sil ion , l,lioii;'h in I he I'lid i I, was no I. siieeessrii I. 
'i'he oU'er w'as ae,c,ep|,cd on the pari, of the ( Ion ferf'iiee , 
and many of the preachers went, to work to ra.ise (,lie 
money. Kcvs. Williani (Iloss, J). |).,a.iid \ViHia,(n liM.i*- 
riii^er secured a, la,ri;(: jiarl of it,.' Il, was nol, until I, he 



1. (aiiirli'H Korcf ItcciMH, (/tiil(ililnKniplil<!n.l mill liloKmplilcMJ i, by IiIh Soiih. |ii>. 

n,iu~i;:,.mM\.w>MH. \(.H-\2\.\u\-T^■i.■^■^•^-'^\il^,, '-'vi. nuK-im. ah; (i.Micnii (:mUiI..«iic <,t 

llic I'iiIvcihII.v i>f Niiilli Cm roll 11)1, pji. Mil. 210; Dr. K. I/. Kcid, the Aliiiiiiil QiKirtiM-ly 
(if l,ln' liiilviM'Mllv "f No rill Cii lull nil, .liuiiiii ly. fi^Wu 

2. Dr. K. I,, liflil, tlif Aliiiiiiil Qimrt.'rly of lln' UnlvcrHlty of Norlli Carolina. 
.iKiiniiry, IMti.'i; i>r. .Ioiich, Ct'iilcniilal of M<'l,lioillmii In NorMi Ciirolliiti., |ip, Ifii-Hiri; 
C/italoKiKiH, Ihril-IWiH; .((iiirmil of «Jrc(tnMlioro Kcin/ilc Colli-«i-, IKiniMHf), pp. firirt-OHl, 



20S 'J'HH CHURCH AND I'lllVATK 

fall of ISoC) that any l)enefits came to tlie minister?, 
and the full amount was not ])ai(l to the trustees until 
May, 1S()().' 

Before anythini;" was done in the way of enlar^int;" the 
l)uildin.u' Dr. Deems I'etired, Decemher, 1854. Though 
he was tin; presiding officer for only four and a half 
years, siill he had increased the faculty, appliances and 
pati'onage; and he ma-de a reputation i'or tlit^ college in 
the way of scholarshi]).- In this connection it is well to 
])ring to light a few points of the internal workings of 
the president and trustees. From the l)eginning there 
had been somewiiat of a disposition on the part of the lat- 
ter to assume too much of the management of college 
affairs in their own hands. 'I'he trustees elected the 
president and exjx'cted him to run ihc^ institution so as 
to make fine profits for them, hut they gave him little 
choice in selecting teachers and in paying them what 
their services were worth. A minority of the trustees 
liad enougli influenc(> on the majority to thwart all plans 
for improvement and schohirshij). While the income 
for 1 852-1 Sn.S was $7,;).S(), the salaries were oidy $4,710, 
giving a jjrofit of $2,(>2().'' in sjute of such fine })rofits, 
the executive committee of the trustees cut down th.e 
salaries of three members of the faculty. Mr. Lea and 
Dr. Shipp had resigned largely on account of such mis- 
management on the ])a.rt of the trustees. Dr. Deems en- 
dured it for some time, but on May 18th, 185,'), he sent 
in his resignation. The writer has a copy of this before 
liim and bears witness that tlie wliole is very interesting 
reading, it is scathing, still i:)leasant and true. It 
shows the deep grasp that Dr. Deems had of the true 
educational problems. His first resignation was not ac- 

1. Diiy Hixik of (irccnshdro KciiiMlc e.ollcf^'e, IS.V^-IhtiJt ; Dr. Jones. ('(Mitcnninl of 
Motliddisni in North Cnroliiia, p. lilT. 

■_'. Dr. .loiics, Ccnteiiiiial of Metliodisin in Nortli Carolina, ]>. \nh; CataloKnt'S. 
1S".]-I85H; ( liarlfs Force Deems, by his Son.s, pp. lOS-llT. 

:(. .lonrnal of Greensboro Fenia'le ('oMene, 181(1-188.'), p. t;7l>. 



SCHOOLS OF NOPvTH (LVllOLINA. 209 

cepted, and he reuiainod as president until J)ecenil)er, 
1854.1 

At this time Rev. Tui'ner Myrick Jones, who had been 
professor of Mathematics and Ancient Languages for one 
year, became president ; and he remained at its head 
until his death, June 8()tb, ISDO. He was born in 
Franklin county. North Carolina, June 4th, 1<S19 ; grad- 
uated at Randolph-Macon College witii A. ]i. and A. M. ; 
1). J), from Ti-inity College 1870; i)rivate teacher in 
Warren county 1844-1846; princi})al of Ridgeway Male 
Academy 1840-1847; principal of Midway Academy, 
Franklin county, 1847-18r)0 ; pi-incipal of Louisburg 
Male Academy 1850-1853, when he came to Greensboro 
Female College.^ He was one of the most noble and 
cultured teachers this State has produced. As a teacher 
and guide of young women he has no su[)erior, and with 
the exception of Dr. Sinedes no equal. 

When he took hold the institution was Jiot by any 
means in a solid condition. The financial I'eport of 1855 
shows that $10,000 wei-e still unpaid on the first build- 
ing ; and this was to be raised from tuition. The pat- 
ronage was so large that more room had to be added, 
and still the Conference had not collected enough on the 
$20,000 proposition to erect buildings. At the meeting 
of the trustees in 1856 it was decided to erect a wing to 
the west end of the old building. This was completed 
within a year, and still everything was filled. The next 
two years were very prosperous. In May, 1859, a wing- 
to the east end was begun, but l)efore this was finished 
there were so many pupils that a good many had to 
board in private families.-'* By May, 1860, the Confer- 

1. Journal of Green.sboro Female College. 184(5-1885, p. 67tt. 

:;!. Ibid, pp. 4()-4!J; North t;aroliiia Teaelier, March, 188(3; Mi.ss JJora Duty Jones; 
President Dred I'eacoek ; Toinl)-st()iie at Greensboro; l)r. Jones, Centennial of 
Metln)disni in North Carolina, p. l(i(i. 

;i. Deems' Annals of .Southern Methodism, 1857, p. 175; Dr. Jones. Centennial of 
Methodism in Nortli Carolina, p. Ku; Day Boole of Greensboro Female College, 
1855-180:5. 



210 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

ence had placed to tlie credit of the trustees sufficient 
bonds to confirm the $20,000 proposition. Of tliese 
bonds oidy $11,300 were ever collected; and thirty-one 
daughters of ministei's i-eceived instruction, six of whom 
graduated, at a cost of $13,912. By 1861 the east wing 
could be used ; and the capacity of the whole building 
was sufficient to accommodate one hundred and seventy- 
five boai'ders. From 18b0 to 1803 there were enrolled 
each year more than two hundred pupils ; dui'ing the 
past eight and a half years thei'e had been one hundred 
and eigliteen graduates. Tlie income was also fairly 
good. According to the report of 1803, the assets were 
enough to pay all the indebtedness. On the 9th of 
August, 1863, came the great fire that consumed every- 
thing, even the institution's life for ten years. ^ 

Soon after the fire a movement was made to rebuild 
at the eai'liest possible date, and public sentiment was 
decidedly iti favor of it. Dr. Jones was appointed agent 
to secure funds. The woi'k was begun in 1864, but 
Avas delayed for a long time by the great depression that 
came when the Civil War iiad turned against the South, 
However, some few kept up hopes. At the first Con- 
ference after the war Rev. Charles Force Deems, D. D., 
was selected as financial agent. He moved to New York 
City about 1865, and it was hoped that he could secure 
money from some philanthropist of that wealthy city. 
However, this hope was never fully realized, though Mr. 
Wil'liam Vanderbilt gave $5,000. A new board of trus- 
tees was appointed, and they secui-ed a new chartei- in 1869. 
In 1871 the v.ork was again takeii up, and by the sum- 
mer of 1873 the present college building was ready for 
occupancy. It had cost about $60,000; and the money 
had been obtained from many sources. The most libei-al 

1. Dr. Jones. Centennial of Methodism in North (;arolina. pp. 168-169; Journal of 
Greensboro Female College, 1846-1885; Day Book of Ureeiisboro Female College, 

185S-1863. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 211 

givers were : James H. Davis, $10,000 ; W. T. Sutherliii, 
$5,000; Dr. Allen Gumi, $2,000; W. Turner, $2,000; 
I. M. F. and E. Garrett, $2,068.82. The saddest occur- 
rence connected with the whole affair was the accidental 
death of Rev. William Barringer, which happened March 
10th, 1873. He had been for years the institution's 
warmest iriend and best adviser. ^ 

On August 27th, 1873, the college again opened, after 
a ])eriod of inactivity of eleven yeai's. Dr. Jones taught 
elsewhere most of this time. He carried on the college 
at Louisburg from January, 18(36, to June, 1869, and at 
Warrenton from September, 1869, to June, 1873. ^ From 
1863 to 1873 fifty-one young ladies graduated under him 
and in the same course of studies as at Greensboro Fe- 
male College. 3 The new building was so much larger 
and better arranged than the old, that it seemed as if 
the institution had just begun its life. The following 
enrollment speaks for itself: 1873-74, one hundred and 
fifty-four; 1874-75, one hundred and forty-two; 1875- 
76, one hundred and thirty-two; 1876-77, one hundred 
and four ; 1877-78, ninety-one; 1878-79, eighty-seven; 
1879-80, seventy-three; 1880-81, one hundred and 
thirty-five ; 1881-82, one hundred and forty-eight.'* 

The debt incurred in erecting the new building was 
hanging over the trustees, and the Conference was very 
slow to relieve them. A large part of this indebtedness 
was due to Rev. N. H. D. Wilson, D. D., and Col. Charles 
Shober. When all the funds had been consumed in the 
building and still it was not by any means finished, 
these men came to the relief of the committee and ad- 
vanced money with which to complete the work. The 

1. Dr. Jones, Centennial of Methodism in NortJi Carolina, pp. 170-17.3; Day Book 
of Greensboro Female College, 1856-1863; Catalogue, 1873; Dr. Reid, the Alumni 
Quarterly of the University of North Carolina, January. 1895. 

■2. Dr. Jones' Journal at Louisburg and Warrenton ; Catalogue, 1873. 

3. Catalogues, 1S92-1898. 

4. Catalogues, 1873-1883. 



212 TTTM CIIL'KCII AND I'KIVATK 

debts to tlic^so lihoi'al inoii and to otlioi's wci-i' not j);ud, 
iioi- arran^^ed loi-. The lirst inort^'a<i;(! of $20, 000 was 
held by the North (Carolina, Railroad, T. M. Holt, presi- 
(IfMit. 'I'Ik! i"ailr()a<I was tirj^'ent I'or ils inon(;y, and the 
Oonrei'iMiee (U)uld or wonld not |)a,y it. '^FIk; wliDh; proj)- 
crty was put uj) i'oi- sale June oth, 1<S(S2. For some time 
(sverytliin^ seemed dai'k , })ut in the emergency a com- 
pany of lai\t;('di((a.rted ukmi was formed for the pur])ose 
of buying' the jjropei'ty and saving- it t-o the (dinrch. The 
<)i'i<j;ina,l ineorpoi-a,toi's of this eom])any wcire : Jlenry 
Lilly, K. J. Lilly, .1. S. (Jarr, .L II. Kerree, J. A. Odeli, 
J. A. (Jray, J. M. Winstead, L. W. ('rawford and ^1\ M. 
.Jones, i;. K. (^wyn, J. M. Odell and (). W. Carr soon 
cam(( in. The oirnuu-s oi' the company were : J . S. Carr, 
))resideiil ; T. M. .J()n(.'S, treasui'er ; J. A.Odcsll, secr<;tary. 
Tliey ])a:i(l oil' the first mortgage of .$20,000, and obtained 
the whole [)ro[)erty in fee simple. J)r. .Jones had claims 
against tin; old institution foi' $(),.nOO, and was given in 
|)ayment sixty-live sharers of $100 each in Ihc; stock com- 
pany.' 

As soon as the company hail organ izcul and jxlaced the 
institution on its feet, they offered to give it back to the 
North ('arolina (Jonlei-ence, u|)on tlu; ct)ndition that the 
(company be relievcnl of any linancia.1 i'esp)onsibility as- 
sumed in its purchase. This |)roj)osition was made No- 
V(Mnbei' iSth, I.SS2, but ih(^ ( ''onfertnuH! i-efused to accept 
it." The com[)any had cojne in at a time of great need 
and bought the ])ro])ei'ty to save tlui institution to the 
chuiv^h. It se(vms that the church did iu)t want it back, 
at a,ny I'alc! iJu! i-esponsibilily of keej)ing its liiumces in 
shajx). After it was I'ound out that the Conference did 
not want it again, the comi)any at once decided to bond 



]. Dr. .loiH'S, Cell I CM 111 ill (>r Mel 111 1(1 ism in Nuiili (;uroliii)i, p. 171 ; Uiilcif^li ClirLs- 
Uiiii A(lvi>cat(',lHH'J,.hiiic 7..)uly '1C>; ('atiiluKuc, IH8a-18«»; Kccm-d i>r tlii' Diivelors 
of (iicciisliiiro I'\'iiuili' (^ulli'Ki'. 

■J. Kcconl or l.hc Di rcclors ol' (; ivciislion. ImmiiiiIo Colli'Ki'. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 213 

the property to obtain funds for improvement. Then 
l)e<2;an the new era of the old college ; and the manage- 
ment of the company has thrown wiser and stronger each 
year to the present. Dr. Jones remained president until 
his death, June, 1890. The ci-edit of the college had 
been restored and the patronage began to increase. The 
annual enrollment for 1882-1890 was from one hundred 
and fifty-two to two hundred and six.^ 

Dr. Benjamin Franklin Dixon assumed control in the 
summer of 1890, and held the position till June, 1893. 
He was born in Cleveland county. North Carolina, March 
27th, 1840 ; in tlie war 1801-65 ; joined the South Caro- 
lina Conference in 1868 ; pastor at Sumter, South Caro- 
lina, Moni-oe and Shelly Circuit; physician at Kings 
Mountain 1874-84; superintendent of the Oxford Or- 
phan Asylum 1884-90; physician at Kings Mountain 
from 1894 to the present.- The three years of his ad- 
ministration were quiet and pi'osperous.^ He won a 
place in the hearts of his pupils that few are ever per- 
mitted to enjoy. 

Rev. Frank L. Reid, D. D., became Dr. Dixon's suc- 
cessor. He came at a time when great ability was re- 
quired. The State Normal and Industrial College for 
women had opened up at Greensboro, October, 1892. 
This was supported by the State and Peabody funds, 
and had one of the strongest faculties ever gathered to- 
gether in North Carolina. For some time many thought 
that this institution would soon prove the ruin of Greens- 
boro Female College. Such forebodings were false. Dr. 
Reid, one of the very ablest men of his day, was at the 
head; and he knew not failure. Though he was the 
guide but little more than a yeai", still that time is very 
precious in the history of the college. He brought new 

1. Catalogues, ]882-18!iO; Record of tii'eensboro Female College. 

2. Legislature and Government of North Garoiiiui, 1W»7 ,pp. ]«-J!». 
■i. Catalogues, 18H0-1893. 



214 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

life and hopes to the faculty and students ; he purchased 
the first real chemical equipment the institution ever 
had, at a cost of $600 ; he erected the president's resi- 
dence ; he increased the scope of instruction and made 
and confirmed friends here and there. ^ He was born 
in Rockingham county, North Carolina, June 16th, 
1851; student at Trinity College 1866-70, where he 
graduated with A. B. degree; principal of the Kerners- 
ville High School fall of 1870 ; joined the North Caro- 
lina Conference, December, 1870 ; pastor of the Madison 
Circuit 1870-73 ; pastor at Louisburg 1873-77 ; presi- 
dent of Louisburg Female College 1877-78 ; co-editor, 
with Rev. W. S. Black, D. D., of the Raleigh Chritian Advo- 
cate 1878-84 ; editor of same 1884-93 ; died September 
24th, 1894.2 

On the 2nd of October, 1894, Rev. W. C. Norman, 
then of Wilmington, was elected his successor. He had 
too much devotion for the ministry, and did not accept. 
On the 31st of the same month Dred Peacock, A. B., 
A. M., became president, and he still guides affairs. He 
was born in Wilson county, North Carolina, April 12th, 
1864; student in Wilson Collegiate Seminary, Trinity 
College 1883-87, where he graduated with A. B. ; princi- 
pal of the Lexington Female Seminary 1887-88 ; pro- 
fessor of Latin and Science in Greensboro Female Col- 
lege 1888-94 ;3 given A. M. in 1890 and Litt. D. in 1897 
by Trinity College. His administration has been active 
in the way of improvements. When he assumed con- 
trol the library had only a few hundred books. Now 
it contains five thousand well selected volumes, many of 
which are very rare and valuable. Mrs. Dred Peacock 

1. Catalogues, 1893-1893. 

2. Catalogue of Trinity College, 1897, p. Ill; Manuscript sketch in the possession 
of the writer; Catalogues, 1893-1898; The News and Observer, September 25th, 1894; 
Record of the Directors of Greensboro Female College. 

3. The News and Observer, November 1. 1894; President Peacoclc; Catalogues. 
1888-1898; Greensboro Record, November, 1894. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 215 

in Deceinber, 1894, gave $1,000 toward an endowment 
for this. Tlie dii'ectors at their jjrivate expense had a 
room fixed up in liandsome style and arrangement. The 
old books were placed in the new quarters in January, 
1895. There w^ei-e few then, but now everything looks 
changed. There have been hundreds of gifts to this, of 
various kinds and amounts. The North Carolina col- 
lection has about fifteen hundred different titles, and 
is easily one of the very largest and most valuable in 
existence. The courses of studies have been intensified, 
and the work has became much more rigid. Written 
examinations have been introduced for entrance into 
any class. Though the system of instruction has been 
made far deeper and more I'igid, still the patronage for 
1897-98 is larger than it has been during the past seven 
years. ^ 

The list of distinguished alumnae is too long to be 
given in this sketch. From 1848 to 1863 there were one 
hundred and ninety-one graduates ; under Dr. Jones at 
Kittrell, Louisburg and Warrenton, 1863-73, fifty-one; 
from 1873 to 1897, four hundred and twenty-eight. ^ 
These are found all over the South, and some in the 
North and Wes.t. Wherever found, they are still loyal 
friends ; many of the pupils of the past are the patrons 
of to-day. They remember their alma mater with little 
gifts of money and books now and then, and send their 
daughters as precious ones occasionally. 

The gifts to the institution have been many, thougli 
none of them large. Among those not already men- 
tioned is that of Dr. Siddell, who in 1883 gave $3,000. 
In this connection the great services of the members of 
the stock company should be mentioned. They have 
given their money and some of their time and attention 

1. Catalogues, 1895-1S98; Record of Greensboro Female College; President Pea- 
cock. 
•2. Catalogues. 189:i-189S. 



216 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

for the sake of the education of the young women of 
the land. They have made it possible for tlie college 
to offer fine courses of instruction at fair tei-ms. Mr. 
.J. A. Odell deserves special mention for his kind inter- 
est and liberality. Since the formation of the company 
he has been the institution's true adviser and warm 
friend. His gifts to the college and the Methodist 
Church mark him as lil)eral ; his devotion to duty and 
all things noble make him exemplary. 

The male members of the faculty have been : Rev. 
Solomon Lea, A. M., Anc. Lang., 1846-48 ; Rev. Ben- 
nett T. Blake, Mental and Moral Sci., 1846-48 ; William 
C. Doub, A. M., Math., Nat. Sci., 1847, 1851-53, 18G1- 
68, 1873-78; Rev. James Jamison, Anc. Lang., Nat. 
Sci., 1848-50; Rev. A. M. Shipp, A. M., Math., French, 
1848-50; Rev. F. X. Foster, A. M., 1849-51; Francis 
Cochen, Music, part of spring 1850; Rev. C. F. Deems, 
A. M., Anc. Lang., Phys. Sci., 1850-54; Rev. A. S. 
Andrews, Evidences of Christ., spring 1851 ; Andrew G. 
Kern, Music, 1851-53; Rev. Turner M. Jones, A. M., 
Math., Anc. Lang., 1853-54, Ajic. Lang., Nat. Sci., 
1854-63, Mental and Moral Sci., 1873-90; Theodore F. 
Wolle, Music, 1853-59 ; Ernest Jouanne, French, 1853— 
55; William K. Blake, A. M., Math., Anc. Lang., 1854- 
56; W. C. A. Frerichs, Drawing, Painting, 1855-62; 
Eugene P. Raillard, French, 1855-56; Samuel Lander, 
A. M., Math., Anc. Lang., author of an Arithmetic, 
1857-59; W. F. Alderman, A. M., Math., Anc. Lang., 
1859-93; F. J. Hahr, Music, Fine Arts, 1873-77; H. 
E. Rosenstack, Music, 1877-78; A. H. Bach, Music, 
1879-80 ;i R. Fasolt, Music, 1886-88; Dred Peacock, 
A. M., Latin, Nat. Sci., 1888-94; Walter P. Sullivan, 
Music, 1888-90 ; B. F. Dixon, Mental and Moral Philos., 
1890-93; Rev. J. D. Arnold, A. B., Math., Metaphysics, 



1. Catalogues, 184G-18.S0; .Journal of Greensboro Female College. liS4G-lS8-5. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 217 

1893-95 ; J. W. Parker, Music, 1894- ; Charles L. Raper, 
A. B., Latin, Sci., 1894-98.' 

The lady members have been so many and have held 
in some cases for such a short jDeriod, that the full list 
will not be given. They have done work equally as able 
as the men, and their names should be handed down in 
history as well as in tradition. In this connection space 
will not permit the mention of them all. However, the 
writer would name some of the leading and most conse- 
crated of those who have been associated with him for 
the past four years: Lillian Long, English, History, 
1893- ; Minnie H. Moore, Mathematics, 1894- ; Bettie 
Armfield, Business Department, 1890- ; Louisa M. Bat- 
son, Music, 1892-96; Alta B. Cozart, A. B., Elocution, 
1894- ; Anne M. Sneed, Music, 1894- ; Annie M. Page, 
French, German, 1895- ; Ava L. Fleming, Latin, Eng- 
lish, 1895- ; Catharine F. Heiskell, Drawing, Painting, 
1895- ; Clara B. Orr, Music, 1896-98; Clara Puryear, 
A. B., A. M., English, 1897-.2 

The present course of studies in the regular depart- 
ments is: Freshman — English Grammar (Baskervill 
and Sewell) , Exercises in Composition, Lockwood's 
Lessons in English, Selections from American Litera- 
ture, Hawthorne's Tangle wood Tales, American His- 
tory (Montgomery) , The Beginner's Latin Book (Collar 
and Daniell, Viri Romae (D'Ooge) , Keetel's Elementary 
French Grammar, French Conversation, Super's Reader, 
German Lessons (Collar-Eysenbach) , Conversation 
and Dictation, German Grammar (Joynes-Meissner) , 
Grimm's Maerchen, Complete Geography (Frye) , Zoo- 
logy (Burnet) , Sutton and Kimbrough's Higher Arith- 
metic ; Sophomore — Hill's Foundations of Rhetoric, 
Irving 's Sketch-Book, Longfellow's Evangeline, and 



1. Catalogues, 1880-1898. 
•2. Catalogues, 1892-1898. 



218 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Coui'tship of Miles Sfandidi, Whittiei''s 8no\v-Bonnd 
and other poems, Lowell's Vision of Sir Launfal, par- 
allel work in biography, Composition Work, Meikle- 
jon's History of English Literatnre, Dickens' Christmas 
Carol and Ci'icket on the Hearth, Tennyson's Enoch 
Arden and other poems, Scott's Lady of the Lake and 
Lay of the Last Minstrel, History of England (Mont- 
gomery) , Caesar's Gallic War (Allen and Greenough) , 
six books, Latin Grammar (Bennett) , Latin Composi- 
tion (Bennett), first twenty-two lessons, Elementary 
French Grammar finished, Super's Reader finished, 
Keetel's Complete Grammai", L'Abbe Constantin, Ger- 
man Grammar, Wilhelm Tell (Schiller), Historische 
Erzaehlnngen , Conversation and Dictation, Minna Von 
Barnhelm, Die Journalisten, Physical Geography (Hin- 
man) , Physiology and Hygiene (Hutchison), Went- 
worth's Elements of Algebra, supplemented by Went- 
worth and Hill's Exercises in Algebra; Junior — From 
Milton to Tennyson (Syle) , Pancoast's Luroduction to 
English Literatui-e, Composition Woi-k, Rolfe's edition 
of Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, 
and Julius Csesar, General History (Myers), Cicero's 
Conspiracy of Catiline (Allen and Greenough), four 
orations, Latin Grammar, Latin Composition, (Bennett) , 
History of Rome (Creighton) , Vergil's Aeneicl (Harper 
and Miller), four books, Roman Mythology, French 
Grammar, Le Petit Chose (Daudet) , Le Cid (Corneille) , 
Hernani (Victor Hugo) , German Grammar (^Whitney) , 
Readings from the Lyric Poeti'y of Goethe and Heine, 
other German authors. Chemistry (Williams' New), 
Laboratory Manual (Williams), Wenth worth's New 
Plane and Solid (Geometry ; Senior — Tennyson's Arthur- 
ian Poems, selections from English Prose Classics, Rolfe's 
edition of Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing, Theme 
Work, Rolfe's edition of Macbeth, King Lear, Othello 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH OAROLINA. 219 

and Henry TV., History of North Carolina, Horace, 
Odes (Smitli and Greenough) , four books, Roman Liter- 
ature (as much as in Bender) , Tacitus, the Agricola and 
Germania (Hopkins) , Roman Constitution (Tighe) , 
L'Ami Fritz (Erckmann-Chatrian) , L'Athalie (Racine) , 
La Litterature F'rancaise (Berlitz) , Merope (Voltaire) , 
Contes Choisies (Daudet) , Un Mariage d'Amour (Hal- 
evy) , Litterature Francaise, German Grammar (Whit- 
ney), Faust, Part L, Reading at Sight, Conversation 
and Dictation, Principles of Physics (Gage) , Elementary 
Cjeology (Tarr) , Wentworth's Plane and Spherical 
Trigonometry, Psychology (Steele) , Ethics (Steele), Civil 
Government (Finger).^ 

CHOWAN BAPTIST FEMALE INSTITUTE. 

Murfreesboi-o has been the centre of a large Baptist 
community for a long time, and the Baptists here, as 
elsewhere, have always been active in the way of educa- 
tion. In 184<S the Chowan and Portsmouth Associations 
decided to establish a school for the higher education of 
young women. G. C. Moore, G. M. Thompson. S. Z. 
Wheeler, W. B. Mitchell, A. Z. Askew, T. Hume, J. 
Prince, and others of these associations, formed a com- 
pany, purchased land and erected a house in the town of 
Murfreesboro, at a cost of $1,225. The school was 
opened in October, 1848, with Rev. A. McDowell, D. D., 
principal. He remained at its head for a short while 
only. Rev. M. R. Forey became the second principal, 
and held the position until August, 1853. The pros- 
perity under him was great. It soon became necessary 
to have moi"e room, A large brick building was erected 
in 1852. Rev. William Hooper, D. D., LL. D., was 
president from 1853 to 1862. Then Mr. McDowell, the 



1. CaUilo}?iu\ )8»7-1808. 



220 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

first principal, returned and served until his death iu 
1881. John B. Brewer, A. M., was president 1881-96; 
Rev. W. O. Petty, 189(>-97 ; John C. Scarborough, A. 
B., ex-superintendent of Public Instruction of North 
Carolina, 1897.^ 

During these forty-nine years of its existence it has 
never closed. In this time it has sent out about three 
hundred graduates ; and these have been from many of 
the Southern States. For a long time it has had a 
faculty of aljout ten members, and has given instruction 
in a course of studies about the same as that of Salem 
Female Academy, St. Mary's and Greensboro Female 
College. It has all the time been under the influence of 
the Baptist Church. The property now belongs to some 
of the members of the Chowan and West Chowan Asso- 
ciations, and is worth more than $50, 000. ^ 

OXFORD FEMALE SEMINARY. 

This school opened in the town of Oxford in 1851, and 
was known for some time as Oxford Female College. At 
the Baptist State Convention of 18-1:9 the following re- 
port was made : "The necessity of establishing a Female 
College for the State, in which suitable testimonials of a 
high grade of scholarship will be awarded, is seriously 
entertained by many of our brethren and is an object 
worthy of their united and zealous efforts." The Con- 
vention of 1850 was assured by the town of Oxford of at 
least $10,000, if the college would be located there. By 
the same convention the school was located and trustees 
were appointed. Elder J. J. Jones was selected as agent. He 



1. Some of these points are given also by Smith in his History of Education in 
North Carolina, pp. 121-r2'2 ; Catalogues. 1887-1S97 ; Points gotten up by Rev. M. T. 
Plyler; Letters from Presidents Petty and Scarborough ; North Carolina Teacher 
January, 18S9. 

'2. Catalogues, 1887-189" ; Letter.s from Presidents Petty and Scarborough ; Biblical 
Recorder, December fe, 1897. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 221 

secured a charter in March, 1851. Rev. Samuel Wait, 
D. D., was elected president in April, 1851; and the 
school began July 21st of the same year. In June, 1852, 
the financial report showed a debt of $9,001.42. The 
trustees then employed four agents in succession, but 
they did not obtain enough money to pay their own 
salaries. Dr. Wait took the field in 1857, but met with 
no better success. The college was in a bad condition ; 
it had no money and less credit. At this emergency 
Mr. J. H. Mills made the trustees an offer of $5,000 for 
tha whole property. This proposition was accepted; 
and the school became a private institution, which it 
has been ever since.* 

Mr. J. H. Mills ran the college until January, 1861, 
when a part was sold to L. R. Mills ; and from then until 
1868 it was kept up by Mills and Company. Mr. J. H. 
Phillips, Rev. R. H. Marsh, Dr. R. H. Lewis and others 
had charge of it until 1880. Then F. P. Hobgood, A. 
M., purchased the property. He has had a flourishing 
school ever since under the name of Oxford Female 
Semijiary.^ 

The property is now worth about $20,000. The faculty 
consists of ten members ; and the average annual en- 
rollment under him has been one hundred and twenty, 
coaling from the Carolinas and Virginia. The course of 
studies is about the same as those of the female colleges 
already given. The terms are in some subjects higher 
and in others lower than in many of the female schools 
of the State: preparatory English, $30.00; collegiate 
English, $40.00 ; Latin and French, each, $5.00; Draw- 
ing, $30.00; Painting, $40.00; Elocution in Class, 
$20.00; Elocution in Class, and one private lesson a 
week additional, $35.00; Needle-work, $15.00; Instru- 



1. Biblical Recorder, April 7, 1859; Catalogue, 1851. 

2. Catalogue, 1.861 4 Letters from President Hobgood. 



222 THK CHUiiCH AND I'JllVATK 

mental Music, from tlie prolessor, $45.00; Instrumental 
Music, from tlie assistant, $40.00; Voice, $40.00; Use 
of Piano, 11 liours per day, $5.00.' 

I*rof. IIol>o;ood lias been in the educational work so 
long and has j)erformed such valuable services, tluit he 
deserves more than a mei'e passing notice. He was born 
in Granville county, North Carolina, 1<S47 ; student at 
Jlorner School ; graduated at Wake Forest College in 
1808; teacher in Oxford Female College 18()8-G9 ; princi- 
[)ii\ of the Reidsville High School 1869-71 ; teacher in the 
Raleigh Baptist Female Seminary 1871 ; president of 
tiie same 1871-80;- president of Oxford Female Semi- 
nary from 1881 to the present; president of the North 
CUirolina Teachers' Assembly 1894.=^ 

OAK RII)(;K institutk. 

This institution is now North Carolina's largest and 
best training school. It goes back to 1850 for its begin- 
ning. During that year Dr. John Saunders, Jesse Ben- 
bow, Allen Lowrey, James B. Clark, Samuel Donnell, 
Daniel Pegram, Robert Bell, Wyatt Bowman, T. J. Ben- 
bow, and other citizens of the northwestern coi'uer of 
(hiilfoi'd county, decided to have a high school in that 
community. They cliose a site fifteen miles from Ch-eens- 
boro and erected a building sixty feet long and one story 
high. John M. Davis, a graduate of Emory and Henry 
College, Virginia, became the first principal. He was a 
tine schohii" and teacher, and tlie school was soon filled 
to its greatest capacity. Rev. D. R. Bruton had charge 
in 1857. After him, Mr. T. Whittington and a Mr. 
Pickett kept it up till the Civil War. From 1861 to 1866 

1. CataloKiios. lSii2-J.si)7; l;ctlcrs from rivsiilciit lli>l>f,'<i((d. 

2. T)()wd'.>4 I'roniiiu'iit Ijiviii;; N(>rtl\ Ciiniliiiimis, pp. •2H-2i.y>; Biblicnl Kocorder. 
IX'ccnibor S, imi. 

;t. The North tUiroliiiiau, May 'Jl. IWIC; Thi- Nrws and Observer, Aiit;u.-<t ■.>!, IStiT. 



SCHOOLS OF NOIITH CAKOLINA. 223 

it was closed. The buildiiio- wa> burned in 180(1, but 
was replaced in a short while. Mr. O. C. Hamilton ran 
it 1866-69; Pendleton King 1869-71; Rev. Gideon D. 
Hines, one session of 1871 ; W. S. Grouse 1872-75. In 
the fall of 1875 J. Allen Holt, A. M., assumed control 
and the school entered upon its new and great career. ^ 
When Prof. Holt began in 1875 there were but two 
small rooms, one 14x24, the other 2()x24. He began 
work with great earnestness, and was full of coi-rect 
educational ideas. There were foi'ty pupils under him 
the first year, and fifty the next. From this small be- 
ginning it has grown until it has had for some time an 
annual enrollment of two hundred and fifty. In the 
spring of "1879 Martin H. Holt, his brother, came in as 
associate principal , and they together have builded a 
great structure, one of the most remarkable high schools 
in the whole country. As their patronage has increased 
they have multiplied the faculty, equipment and build- 
ings. In 1884 the chapel was built at a cost of $8,000. 
In 1891 the Holt Hall was erected at a cost of about 
$12,000; and the same year the institution was incorpo- 
rated with a capital stock of $51 ,()()0 and with power to 
grant diplomas. The course of studies is high and ex- 
tensive for training schools in the South. Students who 
complete the regular literary course enter the Sopho- 
more and Junior classes of the best colleges and the 
University of the State. ^ The expenses for tuition per 
session of nineteen weeks are : Literary department, 
$25.00 ; Commercial department, $25.00 ; Shorthand and 
Typewriting, $25.00; Telegraphy, $25.00; Primary de- 
partment, $15.00; Surveying, $10.00; incidental fee, 
$1.00 ; graduation fee, $5.00 ; library fee (to members of 
the societies nothing) , $3.50.'' 

1. Oak Leaf, Soptcmljcr, IHSI ; (;fitak>f?ues, l<s«-J-rwtb. 

■i. Ihid. 

:!. Catalogue, IH97-1K9«. 



224 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

The educational work of J. Allen and Martin H. Holt 
has been distinguished for devotion and ability. They 
themselves have become well known throughout the 
Carolinas and Virginia, from which States the most of 
their students have come ; and Oak Ridge Institute is 
known far and wide through the South and South wesc. 
They have opened their courses to the rich and poor 
alike, to girls as well as boys. They have worked from 
the standpoint of training and culture ; and though 
their school has not been denominational, still it has 
been Christian-like. They charge good terms and have 
made money, still have given numberless charities.^ 

HORNER SCHOOL. 

There is much in common between this and Bingham 
School. Both have been famous classical institutions. 
They have never attempted to have large numbers. 
They have charged high prices and given extensive 
classical courses ; and have cared only for a few. A 
part of the history of this school was given under Horner 
and Graves at Hillsboro. As has been stated, the school 
was begun by James Hunter Horner, M. A., LL. D., in 
Oxford, in 1851. Mr. Horner ran the school as sole 
principal until 187(3, when R. H. Graves, A. M., came in 
as co-principal. Horner and Graves kept it up at Oxford 
until 1874, when they moved to Hillsboro. In 1876 Mr. 
Horner went back to Oxford ; and he was sole principal 
from this until his death in 1892. Then his sons, 
Jerome C. Horner, A. M., and Rev. Junius M. Horner, 
B. A., B. D., took charge and have kept it up since.- 

The military feature was first introduced in 1864, and 
again after the war in 1875. It still adheres to this sys- 

1. The writer has been a pupil and a teaclicr in the Institute, and has had a per- 
sonal acquaintance for eleven years. 

2. Catalof^ues, 1867, 1887-1898; Letters from I'rin(apals .1. C. and J. M. Horner. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 225 

tera. There were seventy-five pupils each year before 
the war, and there liave been about one hundred and ten 
since. From its founding more than three thousand 
students have received instruction at this fountain head, 
and most of these were under the care of Mr. James 
Hunter Horner. He was a conspicuous educator for 
forty-one years, and justly ranks among the immortals 
of our educational history. His school had such a repu- 
tation for good honest scholarship and training, that 
pupils came from New York, Pennsylvania, Hlinois, 
Iowa, Maryland, Virgina, the Carolinas, Georgia, 
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Ken- 
tucky, West Virginia, and other States. Many of these 
have taken high positions in the various avocations. 
George. T. Winston, LL. D., president of the University 
of Texas, Rev. Wilber F. Tillet, D. D., dean of the 
Theological Department of Vanderbilt University, 
Judges George Brown and R. W. Winston, of the North 
Carolina Superior Court, W. W. Fuller, New York, are 
illustrations. The school has had other fine talent in 
Its teaching force besides the principals. Among the 
teachers have been A. F. Redd, Porter Paisley, J. A. 
Fishburne, W. R. Webb, and Thomas J. Drewry.^ 

For some time the faculty has been composed of six 
members. These are in every case well trained. The 
instructors for 1897-1898 are: J. C. Horner, A. M., 
Latin, Mathematics; C. J. Moore, B. S. (V. M. I.), 
Mathematics, Natural Science; J. M. Horner, B. A., 
B. D., (Johns Hopkins, General Theological Seminary) , 
Greek, English Grammar ; W. T. Shannonhouse, B. A. 
(University of Virginia) , Latin, Mathematics ; Miss 
Nina Horner, Music; S. D. Booth, M. D., and S. H. 
Cannady, M. D., surgeons. ^ The course of studies in 



1. Catalogue, 1890-1891. historical sketch; Lette^rs from Principals .1. C. and J. M. 
Horner; The News and Observer, August 21, 1897. 

2. Catalogue, 1897-1898. 



226 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Latin, Mathematics, Greek, English, Geography, His- 
tory, Science, is high enough to prepare boys for en- 
trance into any American college. The buildings were 
enlarged in 1880 and again in 1890, so that eighty 
l)oarding and fifty day pupils can be well cai-ed for. 
The expenses per year amount to $272.00.^ 

(CATAWBA COLLEGE. 

This institution belongs to the German Reformed 
Church of North Carolina. Some points of the early 
history of this church have already been given. It has 
had a gradual growth throughout the nineteenth cen- 
tury. In 1889 it had a pastoral charge in Guilford, 
East Rowan, Catawba, Concord, Central Rowan, Lower 
Davidson, Hickory, West Rowan, Lincoln, Upper Da- 
vidson, St. PauFs Mission, Lincoln Mission, Mt. Tabor 
Mission and Thomasville. To serve these charges there 
were fifteen ministers.^ The ministers of the church 
have always advocated education, but the circumstances 
of the members have been such that in many cases these 
views have not been well carried out. In addition to 
Catawba College, Claremont College at Hickoi-y, Pil- 
grim's Academy, Arnold Academy, Hedricks Grove 
Academy, all in Davidson county, Mt. Hope Academy 
in Guilford, and Faith Academy in Rowan, belong in 
part or entirely to this church.'^ 

As early as 1828 the Chassis of North Carolina was 
organized, and with this was begun a fund known as the 
Loretz Beneficiary Fund. From the money of this fund 
a good many young men were sent North for their educa- 
tion. It was a long distance to go and the conveniences 
of traveling were few. Soon the plan of establishing a 

1. Catalogue, 1897-1898; Letters from Principals J. C. and .1. M, Horn<M-. 
■2. Proceedings of the Classis of North Carolina, 1X89. 
;!. Letter from President Clajyp. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 227 

college in North Carolina was proposed. This idea was 
approved, and by 18-51 they had opened Catawba Col- 
lege. Newton, the county seat of Catawba county, was 
chosen as the best site. Revs. G. H. Crawford, George 
W. Welker, Jeremiah Ingold, each gave for the buildings 
.$100 out of their salaries, which were otdy $300 a year. 
This great generosity caused many others to give ; and 
the buildings were soon erected. This was the first in- 
.stitution of the kind in Western North Carolina and its 
influence soon spread far and wide. However, financial 
troubles came in a short while, and the college curricu- 
lum and faculty were displaced by a high school equip- 
ment; and this condition continued until 1860, when 
about $25,000 on an endowment fund were secured. 
The Civil War destroyed this and closed the halls of the 
high school.^ 

A Rev. Mr. Albert, from Pennsylvania, was the first 
president. He served one term only, and was followed 
by H. H. Smith, of New Hampshire, the father of Hon. 
Hoke Smith, of Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Smith held the 
position for four years. A Mr. Smythe, from Maine, 
was principal 1856-59. Rev. A. S. Vaughn, of Penn- 
sylvania, brought back the college curriculum and raised 
tiie $25,000 endowment 1859-60. In 1865 Rev. J. C. 
Clapp, D. D., reorganized the school under the name of 
Catawba High School. In 1866 Major Sidney M. Finger 
came in with him, and remained as teacher of Math- 
ematics and Latin until 1874. From 1874 to the sum- 
mer of 1885 Mr. Clapp ran it as sole principal. At this 
date the charter and name of Catawba College were re- 
sumed. ^ Dr. Clapp was. then elected president, and he 
still occupies the position. He has been connected with 



1. Churc-h Corinthian, Juno, 1897; Catalogues, 1S90-1897; Letter from President 
Clapp. 

2. Letter from President Clapp; Catalogues, ii«)i)-I.S97; North (Jarolina State 
Normal Magazine, .lune, liSB", p. 102. 



228 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

the institution so long, that he deserves more than a 
mere mention. He was born at Chipp's Mill, Guilford 
county, September oth, 1832; student under Rev. 
George W. Welker, I). D., and at Catawba; at Amherst 
College 1853-57, .where he graduated; connected with 
Catawba College the most of the time since 1859.^ 

The college now has a small endowment fund, about 
$11,000, a library of fifteen hundred volumes, and a 
faculty of twelve members. It offers courses almost 
equal to those of Davidson, Wake Forest and Trinity ; 
A. B. and B. S. degrees are granted to women as well as 
to men. The annual enrollment for the i^ast seven years 
has been from one hundred and forty to one hundred 
and ninety-two. The leading teachers since 1890 have 
been : Rev. J. C. Clapp, D. D., Mental and Moral Phil- 
osophy, Aesthetics, Political Economy, 1890- ; Rev. J. 
A. Foil, A. M., Ph. D., Mathematics, Natural Science, 
1890- ; W. H. Thompson, A. B., Latin, English, 1890- 
95; W. W. Troup, A. M., Greek, German, History, 
1890-92; C. H. Mebane, A. B., present superintendent 
of Public Instruction of North Carolina, Greek, German, 
History, 1893-96; I. S. Leiby, German, 1895- ; Rev. P. 
M. Trexler, I). D., Greek, History, 1897-.- 

WEAVERVILLE COLLEGE. 

This institution is located in the town of Weaverville, 
eight miles northwest of Asheville. It was chartered as 
a college by the legislature of 1872-1873.^ The property 
belongs to the Western North Carolina Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; and the Con- 
ference now makes an annual assessment of $1,500 for 
its support.'* The college is the outgrowth of the Ma- 

1. Letter from President Cla])j). 

•2. Catalogues, l.SiM)-18it8. 

3. Catalogues, 1H90-1897. 

4. Minutes of the Western North Carolina (Vmference, 1,S97, p. ;J4. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 229 

sonic and Sons of Tempei-ance High School, established 
in 1852. Rev. J. A. Reagan, M. D., was the first prin- 
cipal, and held the position until 1858. Under him the 
school had an annual enrollment of one hundred jjupils. 
J. H. Colfee was principal 1858-1862, when the doors 
were closed by the war. A. J. McAlpin and a Mr. Lewis 
were the principals at different times from 1866 to 1872. 
At this time the property was given to the Methodist 
Church and the institution became a college. ^ 

Rev. J. A. Reagan, A. M., M. D., was elected the first 
president of the college. During 1872-1873 the old 
building w^is burned, and the school was cari'ied on for 
51 time in the church. By 1875 a new building was 
ready ; and this served for all purposes until 1894, when 
a still larger and more convenient one was erected. In 
1875 Dr. Reagan resigned and Rev. J. S. Kennedy, A. 
M., D. D., became president. Dr. Kennedy held the 
presidency for three years; Rev. W. C. McCarthy, A. 
M., 1878-80; E. M. Goolsby, M. A., 1880-83; Rev. D. 
Atkins, A. M., D. D., 1883-87; Rev. S. B. Tray wick, 
1887-88; Rev. J. F. Austin, 1888-89; M. A. Yost, A. 
M., 1889-.2 Dr. Reagan has had the longest connection, 
either as principal, president or professor, of any one in 
its whole history. He was its real founder and has been 
its best friend. 

Since 1890 the matriculates each year have numbered 
from one hundred and fifty-five to two hundred and 
thirty-five. The courses, which lead to A. B. and B. S. 
degrees, are about the same as those of Guilford, Cataw- 
ba and Elon, and are open to both sexes. There is also a 
preparatory dej)artment connected with the college. The 
terms are very low, tuition in the college course for ses- 
sion of eighteen weeks being only $18.00. The faculty 

1. Letter from Dr. .1. A. Reagan. 
•-'. Iljid ; Catalogues, 1.SH0-1S97. 



2;)(> THIO CllLUlCH AND l'IMVAT[<: 

has always been small. Foi- a, lon^ time there were only 
two teachers besides the president; and durino- the past 
six years there have been five with the president. Sinee 
1S'.)1 they have been: M. A. Yost, A. M., Ancient and 
Modern LMnj^ua^es ; J. J. Rea|;an , A. M., Mathematics; 
J. E. Rlieim, A. M., Mental, Moral and Natural Sciences ; 
Mrs. N. 15. McDowell, A. M., English, Elocution and 
pi-eparatoi-y department ; Mi's. M. A. Yost, A. M., Music 
and Art. ^ 

Noirru c.vKoi.iNA <'<)r,i,i<:(iK. 

This institution belonj^-s to the I*A'anj2,c'lical Lulh(M'an 
Synod of North Carolina. It is located at Mt. Pleasant, 
Ca})a,i'rus county, nine miles from Concord. It was first 
opened in 18,"),") under the n;vm(> of the Western Carolina 
Male Academy, and i-eceived a charter as North Cai'o- 
lina College Januai-y 21st, IS.")!). Rev. William Gere- 
hard was principal IS^o-oH ; Rev. J). II. Bittle, D.I)., 
l)i'esi(lent ISaS-lU, when the college was closed on ac- 
count of the war. During the |)(M-iod IS(;i-l.S(>7 a pri- 
vate school was kept up most of the time. Since that 
time the presidents have been : Rev. C. F. Bansemer, 
D. !)., 18(>7-69; Rev. L. A. Bikle, A. M., acting- presi- 
dent, 1809-70; Rev. L. A. Bikle, A. M., 1870-7r, ; Rev. 
J. B. Davis, D. D., 1875-77; Rev. L. A. Bikle, D. D., 
1877-82; Rev. G. D. P>(«rnhcim, D. D., 1882-8;5; Rev. 
G. F. Shaeifer, 1884-80; Rev. ^. (;. Schaid, 1887-89; 
Rev. J. 1). Shirey, I). D., 1889-9('»; Rev. M. G. G. 
Scherer, A. M., 1890.^ 

The |)rim(' jnovcrs in the establishment were Revs. J. 
A. Linn, W. (J. Ilarter and Samuel Rothrock , C. Mel- 
choe, Mathias Bai-riei-, C. A. Ileilig and John Shim- 
poch. Early in its history thi't'e buildings were erected, 

1. Catalogues, IHiH-lMiy. 

•J. n)i(l, l.S71-187-_>. 1,S!I'J-1S1I7; LctliT from I'lcsideiit Sclu'ivr. 



SC'HOOLS OF NOIITH CAROLINA. 231 

and later another, and they all have a valuation of 
$15,000. The Synod does not make any annual appi'o- 
priation, though its members have given $15,000 as an 
endowment. In addition to this institution, the Luth- 
eran Church has in this State Mount Araoena Female 
Seminary, Lenoir College, Concordia College at Cono- 
ver, and several academies. The annual enrollment for 
some time has been from seventy-five to one hundred. 
The courses lead to A. B. and B. S. degrees, and they are 
jis high as those of Catawba and most of the other col- 
leges in the State. However, only four or five teachers 
have been in the faculty at any one time, and they have 
to do the preparatory work also. The expenses per year 
are from $85.00 to $137.00. The library has thirty-five 
hundred volumes. The faculty for the past few years 
has been : Rev. J. D. Shirey, A. M., Mental and Moral 
Philosophy; H. T. J. Ludwig, A. M., Ph. D., Mathe- 
matics, Astronomy, Physics; E. B. Setzler, A. M., 
Ancient Languages ; Rev. J. H. C. Fisher, A. M., M. A. 
Boger, A. B., and Rev. P. H. E. Derrick, A. M., princi- 
pals of the preparatory department; Rev. M. G. (1. 
Scherer, A. M., Mental and Moral Philosophy.' 

D .WEN PORT COLLEGE. 

This school was run as a girls' college from its begin- 
ning in 1857 until 1893. At that time it was made coed- 
ucational. As early as 1850 the Presbyterians of Cald- 
well county agitated the movement of establishing a 
female school at Lenoir. The Presbytery of Concord 
went so far as to obtain a $10,000 subscription for the 
building. This plan was never realized by the Presby- 
terians, and they soon located their school at Statesville. 
In 1853 the Methodist took up the matter. At the 



1. Letter from Prcsi<li'nt SolicriM- ; Catalogues, lSii2-18S)7. 



232 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Centre Camp Meeting, October, 1855, Rev. Henry Hill 
Durant presented the subject in strong terms, and a 
subscription of $12,000 was made. The most libei-al 
givers were: Col. William Davenport, $2,000 at hi-st 
and later another $1,000 ; Col. James C. Harper, $1,810 ; 
Capt. W. A. Lenoir, $1,200; James Harper, $1,000; 
Col. E. W. Jones, $750; Uriah Cloyd, $600. With this 
money they erected a brick structure, at a cost of $9,800, 
purchased sixteen acres of land and furniture. In 1857 
the stockholders offered the whole property to the South 
Carolina Conference. The Conference accepted theoff'ei-, 
appointed trustees, and elected Rev. H. M. Mood, A. M., 
president.^ 

Mr. Mood began to make preparations for the open- 
ing. He asked the trustees to erect a boarding house. 
This they agreed to do, and another subscription of 
$3,000 was taken up. In July, 1858, the school was 
opened under the name of Davenport Female College. 
During the first year only fifty-six pupils matriculated. 
However, Mr. Mood's administration of four years was 
very successful. He resigned in 1862 and Rev. R. N. 
Price, of the Holston Conference, succeeded him. Mr. 
Price remained but one year, and was followed by Rev. 
A. G. Stacy. When Stoneman's army came toward the 
close of the war, Mr. Stacy took his school to Shelby, 
North Carolina. The Federal soldiers occupied the 
buildings for two days, pillaged and despoiled the libi'ary 
and furniture, and left little but the naked buildings. 
In 1865 the school was again organized under the tem- 
porary charge of Rev. George H. Round. By the Confer- 
ence of the same year Rev. Samuel A. Weber was elected 
president, but he resigned in a short while. Rev. Joseph 
R. Griffith had charge 1866-67, and Rev. Samuel Lander, 



1. Manuscript of Mr. J. R. Wilson, Lenoir; ['resident W. M. Roliy, {Jeiitennial of 
Methodism in Noi'tli Carolina, pv. 1H:>-L'U0. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 233 

A. M., 1867-70. Mr. Lander's term of office was ver}^ 
successful and the college became prosperous. How- 
ever, when the General Conference of 1870 transferred 
that section of the State from the South Carolina to the 
North Carolina Conference, he thought it best to retire. 
Most of the patronage had been from South Carolina, 
and it seemed ver}?- probable that this change would 
diminish the numbers greatly.^ 

In December, 1870, Rev. W. M. Robey, D. D., was 
elected president. When he took hold the buildings 
needed repairs, and the trustees sent out an agent to 
collect funds. Only $1,300 were secured, and $625 of 
this were used in paying the agent's expenses. The col- 
lege now belonged to the North Carolina Conference and 
expected the Conference to support it. In this expecta- 
tion it was much disappointed. Mr. Robey struggled 
on as best he could, but toward the close of his adminis- 
tration he had but one boarding pupil. In February, 
1877, the buildings were burned, and Mr. Robey retired. 
The trustees at once began to collect money with which 
to erect a new building. About $3,000 were subscribed 
in Caldwell county, and the building was begun. In 
1881 Rev. George H. Round was elected president, but 
owing to the unfinished condition of the building he re- 
signed in 1882. Mr. W. H. Sanborn in 1884 leased the 
property for fifteen years, and ran a fairly successful 
school until 1889. At that time he was asked to give 
back the property to the trustees. In June of that year 
John D. Minick, A. M., became president, and he hcis 
kept the school up to the present. By the Conference of 
1889 $1,000 were appropriated to repair the building, 
of which about $625 were collected and expended. Under 
the present administration there have been five teachers 



1. President W. M. Robey, Centennial of Methodism in North Carolina, pp. -'01- 
:2C2; Manuscript of Mr. J. R. Wilson. 



234 THE CHURCH AND PIUVATK 

and about eighty pupils. Since tlie war the patronage 
lias been for the most part local. However, the institu- 
tion has had a considerable influence on that section, 
and throughout its trials and successes it has had an in- 
teresting histoi'v. ^ 

louisbur(t female college. 

This institution is located in the town ot" Louisburg. 
It was chartered in 1857. However, it had been running 
as a small school since 1845. Mr. A. H. Ray was in 
charge from 1845 to 1850. His building was small until 
the present commodious one was erected in 1855-1857. 
Mr. J. P. Nelson was president 1857-58; Columbus An- 
drews, 1858-(31 ; James Southgate, 18(U-()5. It was 
closed by the war, and was not reopened until Dr. T. M. 
Jones removed Greensboi-o Female College to the build- 
ing in January, 186(>. Dr. Jones had about two hun- 
dred boarding pupils, the largest number the institution 
has ever had. In June, 1869, he went to Warrentou. 
Rev. F. L. Reid, D. D., was president 1877-78. Fi-om 
this until 1889 the college was closed, and a high school 
was run in the building. Among the teachers of this 
period of high school work were W. B. Doub and B. W. 
Ray. Mr. S. D. Bagley reopened it as a college in 1889 
and kept it for five years. Rev. J. A. Green was pi-esi- 
dent 1894-1896, and Mathew S. Davis from 1896 to the 
present. It has been run under the care of the Metho- 
dist Church, though the church has given nothing to its 
support. For some time the property has in theory be- 
longed to a stock company of Louisburg. Mr. Washing- 
ton Duke is the real owner by virtue of money loaned 
l)y hira to the school. It had gone down very much 

1. Catalogues, 1.S72-3873, 189:i-1897; .Manusfript of .Mr. .1. R. Wilson; .Journal of 
tlie North Caralina Conference, 1889, p.;i7; DowdV Prominent Living North Caro- 
linians:, pp. ]<»2-ii»i. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 235 

when Mr. Green was in charge, but during the past year 
under Mr. Davis and his daughter tlie patronage has 
again increased. The faculty for tlie past nine years 
has been composed of about seven teachers.' 

STATESVILLE FEMALE COLLEGE. 

This institution was established by the Concord Pres- 
bytery in 1857. As to who were the first principals the 
writer has not found out. Rev. J. M. M. Caldwell took 
charge some time during the war and ran it till he came 
to Greensboro in 1S6S. From 1S68 to 1872 Rev. E. F. 
Rockwell, A. M., D. D., was president. Mi-s. Elizabeth 
N. Grant and Miss Margaret E. Mitchell, daughters of 
Prof. Elisba Mitchell, of the University of North Caro- 
lina, were in charge from 1873 to 1884 ; and it was dur- 
ing this time that the school won its reputation. In 
1885 Miss Fannie Everitt assumed control and main- 
tained its reputation, but she retired in 1894. From 
that till 1896 it was closed. In the fall of 1896 John B. 
Burwell, A. M., became president. The college has 
again begun to manifest life and influence. The prop- 
erty is now worth $30,000. He has a faculty of nine 
teachers, and has offered a course of studies best suited 
to the training of girls at very low terms. He has had 
one of the largest experiences in female education of 
any living North Carolinian. He was co-principal of 
the Charlotte Female Institute for ten years and princi- 
pal of Peace Institute for eighteen. ^ 

RUTHERFORD COLLEGE. 

This institution is unique among the schools of North 
Carolina. It has been the college of one man. Rev. 

1. Letter from President M. S. Davis; Catalogues, 1898-1897; Dr. Jones' Journal; 
Manuscript slcetch of Dr. Rcid. 

2. Letter from Mr. S. C. CaldwelL Tallaliasse, Florida; Semi-Centennial cata- 
logue of Davidson Collef^e.p. 15; Letter from President J. B. Burwell; Catalogues. 
189(5-1898; Dowd's Prominent Living Nortli Carolinians, pp. 212-213; Xortli Carolina 
Teacher, May, 1885. 



236 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

Robert L. Abernethy, I). D. It was begun as a private 
school in 1854, and so it has remained to the present. 
Mr. John Rutherford gave six hundred acres of forest 
land, ten miles east of Morganton, in 1853 ; and on this 
Mr. Abernethy opened his schoo]. In 1858 it was char- 
tered as Rutherford Academy. In 1861 its name was 
changed to Rutherford Seminary and power was given 
to grant degrees. It continued under this name uiitil 
1870, when it was made a college. The first building 
was a double log cabin. Soon this was replaced by a 
larger structure. From its beginning to 1890 the insti- 
tution was very flourishing. At that time the building 
was destroyed by fire, and since troubles have come 
thick and fast. This fire, the debt incurred in erecting 
the present building and the death of the great founder 
soon afterwards, have almost taken away the very exist- 
ence of the school. William E. Abernethy, A. M., as- 
sumed the presidency upon the death of his father. 
Several times during the past seven years it seemed that 
Rutherford College would be no longer except in memory. ^ 
Dr. R. L. Al)ernethy was its head for about forty 3'ears ; 
and though he did not maintain a school of much scholar- 
ship, still he made himself one of the greatest characters 
in our whole educational history. He was born in Lin- 
coln county, North Carolina, April 3rd, 1822 ; educated 
himself; a member of the South Carolina Conference ; 
given A. M. by Trinity College 1880, and D. D. by Alfred 
University, New York; died November 28th, 1894. 
During his term of office about four thousand students 
matriculated, of whom as many as fifteen hundred paid 
no tuition. He made money, but he gave it away, and 
died poor. His whole life had been wrapped up in his 
school, still he had to leave this $1,500 in debt.^ 

1. Catalogues, 1874. 1884, 1892, 1895-1897. 

2. Catalogue, 1892-1893, 189.5-18y0; Dowd's Prominent Living North (Jaroliiiiaiis, 
pi> 207-209; Letter from President W. E. Abernethy. 



SCHOC:)LS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 237 



MOUNT AMOENA FEMALE SEMINARY. 

The idea of having a college for women was discussed 
by the Synod of the Lutheran Church as early as 1860. 
Even before this date Rev. George F. Schaeffer and Mrs. 
D. H. Bittle had a high school for girls in Mt. Pleasant. 
The war interfered with the plan, and nothing was done 
toward founding the college until 1S68. At the Synod 
of that year Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D., who had been 
conducting a school in Mt. Pleasant, offered to turn over 
his property to the church. The Synod accepted the 
offer and appointed Dr. Bernheim financial agent. He 
soon secured enough money to pay off the indebtedness 
on the buildings. When the property was given over to 
the Synod it was worth about $3,500; since that im- 
provements have given it a value of $5,000.^ 

Dr. Bernheim remained agent but one year. Rev. D. 
I. Dreher followed him in 1869 and served till his death 
in 1870. W. A. Barrier was principal 1870-72 ; Misses 
H. V. and M. Ribble, 1872-74; Rev. P. A. Strobel, 
1874-75 ; L. H. Rothrock, 1875-82 ; Rev. G. F. Schaeffer, 
1882-84 ; Rev. J. A. Linn, 1884-92 ; Rev. C. L. T. Fisher, 
1892-97; Rev. H. N. Miller, Ph. D., 1897. ^ These 
principals have been assisted by from eight to ten teach- 
ers. They have offered about the usual courses for girls 
in North Carolina schools of this kind, and do not 
charge but $150 per year for board and tuition in all 
subjects. Their patronage has been from several South- 
ern States, though in the main from the Carolinas ; and 
for the past few years the annual enrollment has been 
one hundred.^ 

1. Letter from Rev. J. II. C. Fisher; the Mount Amoeiiiiin. September-October 

■1. Letters from Revs. J. IT. C. Fisher and H. X.-^Miller: the Mount Amoejiian, Sep- 
tember-October, ISfiT. 
y. Catalof^ues, 18fi4-],SftT; letter from Mr. Fi.sher. 



238 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

PEACE INSTITUTE. 

This school was opened at Raleigh in 1872. It i? 
claimed by some that it had its beginning at Hillsboro 
in 1837. It is true that Rev. Robert Burwell, D. D., 
began a school for girls at Hillsboro at that early date, 
and that he taught there until 1857, when he went to 
Charlotte and established the Charlotte Female Insti- 
tute. It is also true that after teaching in CharloUe 
for fifteen years, ten of which he had been associated 
with his son, Capt. John B. Burwell, he moved to Ral- 
eigh in 1872, and that he and his son became the first 
principals of Peace Institute. It is better, however, to 
place the date of the beginning of this school in 1872, 
and to mention the teaching of the Burwells elsewhere 
in its proper place, as has been done.^ 

It was the original intention that this be a school of 
the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Joseph M. Atkinson, 
D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Raleigh, 
was a strong advocate of this idea. Mr. William Peace, 
of Raleigh, offered to give $10,000, and others gave 
smaller amounts. The institution was incorporated in 
1857, and the building was l)egun. The war came and 
put an end to the enterprise for the time. The build- 
ing, which was only partly finished, was used by the 
Confederates as a hospital for three years ; and after the 
war the Federals used it for a freedman's bureau. Then 
the money subscribed could not be collected and for 
some time ic seemed as if the whole affair v/ould fall 
through. However, a new subscription was taken and 
the property was mortgaged to secure money with which 
to complete the building. This was finished and ready 
for occupancy by 1872 ; and it was constructed of brick, 



1. Letters from l'i'iiicii)al Dimviddie, and I3apt. ,1. B. Bui'well; the North Caro 
Una rniver.sity Magazine, February, 18S*i. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 239 

four stories high, and contained parlors, library, music 
rooms, recitation rooms, an art studio, fifty-seven bed- 
rooms. The buildings and grounds were worth about 
$60,000. In 1872 the property was leased to Rev. Rob- 
eiT Burwell, D. D., and Capt. John B. Burwell, A. M. 
In September of that year the first term was begun. So 
that from its beginning it has been run as a private in- 
stitution . ^ 

The Burwells had had fine success at Charlotte, and 
soon the institute became pi'osperous. They secured a 
fine faculty, among whom were S. J. Stevens of Mathe- 
matics and Natural Sciences and A. Bauman of Music. 
They enrolled during the year 1872-1873 one hundred 
and four pupils, and from that on the number increased 
each year. They entered into the work as a private 
affair, to educate as well as possible and to make as much 
money as they could. In 1875 Rev. Robert Burwell re- 
tired as co-principal and Capt. John B. Burwell was sole 
principal until 1889. At that time he sold his interest 
to James Dinwiddle, A. M., and retired to his country 
home. During his administration the institution won a 
high place and its patronage came from the whole South. ^ 

Prof. Dinwiddle has had a long and valuable experi- 
ence in school work. He graduated at Hampden-Sidney 
College 1858 and at the University of Virginia 1861 ; 
professor of Mathematics in the South Western Presby- 
terian University for ten years ; professor of the same in 
the University of Tennessee ; founder of Central Female 
Institute, Gordonsville, Virginia. During his manage- 
ment of Peace Institute there has been an average an- 
nual enrollment of one hundred and sixty-six. He has 
nine teachers in the literary department, two in Art and 

1. Our Living and Our Dead, Vol. III., pp. 318-810; Letters from Capt. J. B. Bur- 
well ; The North Carolina University Magazine, February . 1891 ; The North Carolina 
Journal of Education, August. 1S75. 

•2. Ibid. 



240 'J^'HE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

six in Afusic. Tlie advertised courses ai'e as high as 
those of any of the female schools of the State. The ex- 
penses foi- lialf year are: hoard, Eno;lish tuition and 
Latin $J0(); washing $7.50; medical fee $o.00 ; Greek, 
Fi-ench or German, each .$10.00; Music $2o.()0-$35.00 ; 
Art $20.00-$2r).O0; Elocution $10.00-$20.00 ; subjects 
in the Business Course, each $15.00-$20.00.i 

( ' i> A K E M < ) N 'I' ( ' o L r. E r; E . 

This school for women was established at Hickory in 
1880. While a good many of its builders were of the 
German Reformed Church, still it is under an independ- 
ent board of trustees and is inin as a non-sectarian insti- 
tution. The property is valued at $30,000; and this 
was purchased for the most part by H. W. Robinson, W. 
P. Reinhardt, A. Shuford, R. B. Davis, J. G. Hall, M. 
L. McCorkle, and Dr. Ingold. They have offered exten- 
sive collegiate courses, upon the completion of which an 
A. B., L. B., or S. B. degree is given. There is also a 
preparatory department. The expenses per term in the 
college courses amount, to $75.00, German, French, 
Music or Art being extra and at a cost of $20.00 each. 
The faculty for some time has been composed of nine 
teachers ; and the annual enrollment has been from one 
hundred to one hundred and fifty. The presidents have 
been: Rev. A. S. Vaughn, Mi-s. V. R. Bonney, A. C. 
Hottenstein, W. H. Sanborn, Rev. J. L. Murphy and S. 
P. Hatton.2 

LITTLETON FEM.iLE COLLEGE. 

Very little has been found out about tliis school. It 
seems to have had very little history. The writer lias 

1 Letter from I'riiieipal Dinwiddie ; Catalojiiu's, ISMii-isitT ; The Nortli (nrolina 
I'niversity Mai^a;cine, February, 1.S94. 
:;. Letter from IMesideiit Hattoii ; CataloKues. ].s9»>-lS<t8. 



S(::H00LS of north CAROLINA. 241 

again and again written to Pi-esident Rliodes for infor- 
mation, but with one exception he has shown his su- 
preme indiiference. He is either ashamed of the recoi-d 
he has made for his school or has a queer idea of com- 
mon courtesy. The institution was first chartered in 
1883 under the name of Central Female Institute. Un- 
der this name it ran for about four years. Rev. J. M. 
Rliodes, A. M., was its principal. He then I'an the Hen- 
derson Female College for a short while. After this he 
came back to Littleton and established the Littleton 
Female College ; and since then he has been the presi- 
dent and for the most part the owner. He has erected 
a good building, and has given some of the stock to the 
North Carolina Conference. However, the school still 
remains largely under his control. For some time he 
has had a faculty of nine teachers, all ladies, and has 
secured a patronage of from seventy-five to one hundred 
and six pupils. His advertised courses are about as 
high as those of most of the girls' schools already con- 
sidered. His expenses per term are: board, washing, 
fuel, lights and tuition in English course and languages, 
$75.00; Instrumental Music $20.00; Voice $20.00; Art, 
each subject from $5.00 to $20.00. ^ 

ST. Mary's college. 

This is the only Catholic college south of Maryland, 
except the one at Mobile, Alabama. In 1876 Rev. Fr. 
Herman Wolf and some Benedictine brothers came to 
Gaston county from St. Vincent Abbey in Pennsylvania. 
They located at Belmont, eleven miles southwest of Char 
lotte, and at once began to work. By 1878 these Bene- 
dictine Fathers at the solicitation of Cardinal Gibbons 



1. The North Carolina Teacher, May, 188o; Catalogues, 1890-1898; Catalogue ot" 
Henderson Female College, 1888; Journal of the North Carolina Conference. 1897. 
pp. 4-5-46. 



242 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

began the erection of a college building. In 1881 the 
first graduate was sent out, Hugh McHugh ; and from 
1882 to 1896 eighty-nine more have gone forth. There 
is a monastery connected with the college, and this was 
raised to an abbey by Pope Leo XIII. in 1885. At the 
same time Rev. Leo Haid was elected first abbot, and 
since then St. Mary's College has been under his per- 
sonal supervision. 1 

The buildings and chui'ch are now worth about $140,000. 
Some of this was obtained from donations, but a large 
part came from tuition and board. On April 1st, 1886, 
the institution received a charter with all the privileges 
of a North Carolina college or university. The courses 
now offered are : preparatory, commercial, classical and 
divinity. There have been for some time fourteen 
teachers ; and these are all priests or clergymen in Holy 
orders. The annual enrollment for the past four years 
has been almost one hundred. While the colleiye was 
established for the training of Catholic young men in the 
South, still all denominations can enter and take the 
college courses. The institution has iio endowment 
fund, hence expenses are high.- 

ELON COLLEGE. 

This institution belongs to the Christian Church. It 
was opened September 2nd, 1890, and is located on 
the North Carolina Railroad, five miles west of Burling- 
ton. While it is a young institution and belongs to a 
church that is by no means large, still it has had a rapid 
and sure growth. A few points of the history of this 
church will help explain the cii'cumstances of the col- 
lege. The church goes back to the Baltimore Confer- 

1. J. S. Bassett's A North Carolina Monastpry, Magazine of American History, 
J<S93,XXIX.; Letter from Vice-President F. Bernard, O. S. B.; Gastonia Gazette, 
April 8. 1S97. 

2. Ibid; Catalogues, 1S94-1897. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 248 

ence of the Methodist Episcopal Cluirch in 1792 for its 
origin. At that meeting Rev. James O 'Kelly revolted 
against the tyranny of the Bishop ; and he and about 
thirty other members sent in their resignation. In 1793 
Mr. 'Kelly and several gthers who had withdrawn from 
the Conference held a convention in Manakin Town, 
North Carolina. At this place they organized under the 
name of Republican Methodists. The next year this 
opposition party held their meeting at Lebanon Church, 
Surry county, Virginia, and it was here that the name 
Christian was first assumed. ^ 

In the beginning of this century there was a similar 
revolt against the tyranny of the Synods and Conven- 
tions of the Presbyterians and Baptists. These revolt- 
ers also assumed the name of Christians. From that 
time on they have grown, though slowly. The church 
now^ has in the whole of the United States about 130,- 
000 members, of whom the South has 25,000, 1,550 min- 
isters, ten colleges and several high schools. In 1818 
the first regular convention was held at Holy Neck, Vir- 
ginia, and in 1819 this convention was named the East- 
ern Virginia Conference. The North Carolina and Vir- 
ginia Conference was organized a little later. This 
church has thoroughly believed in education, and that 
too of both sexes alike. Among its best schools in the 
North are : Union Christian College, Marion, Indiana; 
Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio; Starkey Semi- 
nary, Eddy town. New York. The three leading ones in 
the South have been : Graham Institute, founded in 1852 ; 
Suffolk Collegiate Institute, 1872; and Elon College. ^ 

Elon College is the outgrowth of Graham Institute. 
This was established at Graham in 1852. It was carried 

1. Hurley's Christians Not Diselples, pp. t>-3G; The Cliristian Annual and Alma- 
nac, IhPii; Tlie Centennial Christian Sun, December C, 1894. 

•J. Hurley's ('hristians Not Disciples, pp. 9-36; The Christian Annual and Alma- 
nac, ISilli-lSJIii; Christian Sun, December n, 189-1. 



244 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

on with much success by Revs. J. R. Holt, A. G. Ander- 
son, Job Swift, Mr. Archibald Ray, Rev. W. H. Doherty 
and Col. T. H. Brame, to ISOl. During the war the 
school was closed and the property sold. Rev. W. S. 
Long, A. M.. reopened the school in 1865, and soon 
afterwards purchased the property. Rev. D. A. Long, 
I). D., LL. 1)., bought it in 1875. In 1880 it was char- 
tered as Graham Normal College In 1883 Dr. D. A. 
Long became president. of Antioch College, and Rev. W. 
8. Long, A. M., D. D., again became principal. He 
kept up the institution as a pi-ivate affair until June 
10th, 1887, when the property was leased to the Conven- 
tion of the Christian Chui'ch, South. At a General Con- 
vention of the church in 1888 it was decided to choose 
another location and to erect larger buildings. The site 
was chosen in 1888, and a charter secured March lltli, 
1889. The first brick was laid May 20th, 1889, and by 
August 1st, 1890 the buildings were finished.^ 

The college exercises began SeiDtember 2nd, 1890. Dr. 
W. S. Long was elected the first president, and he held 
this position with much success until June, 1894. Rev. 
W. W. Staley, A. M., D. D., became his successor; and 
is still president in name, though in reality the adminis- 
tration is carried en by Rev. J. 0. x\tkinson. The 
courses offered lead to Ph. B., A. B., and A. M. degrees ; 
and they are high enough to admit students into the 
Senior class at the University of the State. These are 
open to young women as well as men. The faculty has 
Ijeen composed of from seven to ten members. The m>ale 
members have been: Rev. W. S. Long, A. M., D. D., 
Moral Philosophy, Biblical Instruction and Social 
Sciences, 1890-94; Rev. J. U. Newman, A. M., Ph. D., 
Greek, Mathematics, 1890- ; Rev. J. 0. Atkinson, A. M., 



1. Catalogue of Graham Normal College, ]8Sy-lSSJ ; Catalogues, 1S9U-1.S9S; Thd 
North Carolina Teacher, September, 1887. 



SCHOOLS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 245 

Latin, Moral Science, 1890- ; E. L. Moffitt, A. M., Eng- 
lish, French, German, 1890-95 ; S. A. Holleraan, Ph. B., 
preparatory department 1890-94, Mathematics, 1894- ; 
R. G. Kendrick, A. M., adjunct of Latin and German, 
1892; Hei'hert Scholz, A. B., adjunct of English and 
Political Science, 1892; J. M. Bandy, A. M., Mathe- 
matics, 1893; W. P. Lawrence, Ph. B., English, 1894- ; 
Rev. W. C Wicker, M. A., Natural Science, preparatory 
department, 1897.^ 

LENOIR COLLEGE. 

This school was opened- at Hickory September 1st, 
1891, and for one year was known as Highland College. 
There had been an academy on the same site for some 
time, and the college used the old building for a short 
while. Col. Walter W. Lenoir gave the site and grounds 
near by, and the college assumed his name. Li 1892 the 
trustees erected a large brick structure, two stories high, 
100x125 feet. On January 4th of the same year the in- 
stitution was incorporated and granted the usual powers 
of North Carolina colleges. Rev. R. A. Yoder, A. M., 
became the first president, and he still serves in this 
capacity. 2 

He has placed around himself a faculty of from five 
to nine teachers. The institution offers primary, pre- 
paratory, collegiate, theological and music departments, 
and grants A. B. and B. S. degrees. The annual num- 
ber of matriculates for the seven years of its existence 
has been from one hundred and three to one hundred 
and seventy, and these have been of both sexes. The 
principal teachers have been : Rev. R. A. Yoder, A. M., 
Psychology, Logic ; Rev. J. C. Moser, D. D., Latin ; Rev. 



1. Catalofnies. 1890-1898. 

2. The Educator. Hickory, Feliniary, 1893; Letter from President Yoder; Cata- 
logues, )89'!-1897. 



246 THE CHURCH AND PRIVATE 

A. L. Grouse, A. M., German, Theology; Rev. W. P.- 
Gline, Ph. B., Science, History; Rev. J. P. Miller, A. 
B., Greek, English; Rev. R. L. Fritz, A. M., Mathe- 
matics. Taken as a whole it is one of the finest insti- 
tutions of learning in Western North Carolina. It is 
under the management of the Tennessee Synod of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is distinctly a Chris- 
tian college. 1 

ELIZABETH COLLEGE. 

This is the only real college for women in North Caro- 
lina. Whether it can succeed with such extensive courses 
can not yet be said. It opened in October, 1897, and is 
located in Charlotte. It was established and built for 
the most part by the Lutheran Church. It has a plant 
worth .$75,000. Tlie city of Charlotte gave the site and 
$10,000 on the building. The building is one of the 
finest and best adapted in the whole State. The original 
contract for the naked structure called for $48,790 ; and 
this did not include the engine, dynamo and stained 
glass windows. The college courses lead to A. B., B. S., 
and B. L. degrees ; and for those who can not stand the 
entrance examinations to the Freshman class there is a 
preparatory department. The advertised courses are as 
high as those of the best boys' colleges in the State.- 

The faculty have all had fine training, in most cases 
having been University students: Rev. C. B. King, A. 
M., president. Moral Philosophy ; Rev. C. L. T. Fischer, 
A. M., vice-president, Greek; Julia E. Painter, Ph. Dv, 
English; Rev. R. L. Fritz, A. M., Mathematics, As- 
tronomy; A. W. Fogle, A.M., Ancient Languages; D. 
F. Culler, A. M., German, French, Italian, Spanish ; 
Edwin B. Setzler, A. M., Natural and Political Sciences ; 



1. The Educator. Hickory, February, 1893; Letter from President Yoder; Cata- 
logues, 1892-1897. 

2. Catalogue, 1897-1898; Charlotte Observer, May 20, 1897. 



SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 247 

Julia L. Abbott, Pli. D., History, Intellectual Sciences; 
Erie Caldwell, Elocution, Physical Culture; W. M. 
Montgomery, commercial department; C. Aldyth Cline, 
preparatory department; Friedrich Carl E. Cranz, M. 
Ruth McLinn, and Blanche L. Rueckert, Music; Bettie 
V. Alexander, Art.^ 

THE BAPTIST FEMALE UNIVERSITY. 

This is loccited at Raleigh. It is the intention of the 
church to make it the equal of Wake Forest College. 
Work has been going on for the past three years, still it 
is by no means ready to open. Thirty-three thousand 
dollars have been spent on the building, and $15,000 or 
$20,000 more will be required to finish it. Rev. O. L. 
Stringfield is the financial agent, and he is pushing the 
work as rapidly as possible. The last Baptist Conven- 
tion at Oxford pledged $5,004. The people of Raleigh 
are now taking up the matter, and plans ai-e being 
matured by which the city can furnish the money neces- 
sary for its completion.^ 



1. Catalogue, 1897-1898; Charlotte Observer, May 20, 1897. 

L*. Circular of the Agent ; the News and Observer, December 19, 1897, and Janu- 
ary 2(1, 1S98. 



Note. — This pamphlet is made up of repi'ints taken 
at each issue of The College Message. There has been 
no opportunity to make corrections. Some of the erroi's 
are due to the author as writer and proof-reader ; and 
some can be laid to the printer. The whole work was 
written in the spare time of five busy montlis and many 
a time the proof had to be read in a huny. Cii-cum- 
stances, over which the author has no control, have 
necessitated that the last chapter (conclusions) be left 
ott\ ' C. L. R. 



ie4g'3: 



